Govt braces for Idul Fitri transport rush
Govt braces for Idul Fitri transport rush
JAKARTA (JP): The government is making preparations for a greater than usual number of holiday makers at Idul Fitri this year because the Moslem holiday coincides with Imlek, the Chinese new year.
The arrangements to meet the expected explosion of travelers were reported to President Soeharto by Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto. He later briefed the press and said that 27,529 buses, 32 ships and 172 airplanes were being readied.
According to Haryanto, the increase in holiday makers is due to Imlek which falls just a day before the two-day celebration of Idul Fitri, this year on Feb. 20-21.
The minister did not specify how many people are expected to be on the move. However, up to 3.5 million Jakartans usually leave the city during this period to return to their hometowns.
Haryanto said that an additional 18 bus terminals will be prepared for those leaving Jakarta. This increases the number of terminals to 22.
Among the new terminals are Rawamangun in East Jakarta, Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta, Cengkareng and Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, and Bintaro in South Jakarta.
"We'll use any free open space," he said of plans to use the east parking lot of the Senayan Sports Complex as a temporary terminal.
To further stagger people's departure, the government is offering a 15 percent discount on railway fares for those traveling from seven to 14 days before and after Idul Fitri, while those traveling three to six days before and after the two- day holiday will get 10 percent off.
Thirty-two ships, both state owned and private, with a combined capacity of over 31,000 passengers, will be in full operation 15-days before and after Idul Fitri.
An additional 34 of the smaller Perintis ships will also be brought in to help transport an additional 4,400 people.
For air transport, Haryanto said the 172 planes prepared will be operating between a week before to 10-days after Idul Fitri with a total seating of over 19,200.
"If the airlines can't accommodate the increase then chartered flight will be given an opportunity to take regular passengers," he said.
Haryanto also revealed yesterday that the president had suggested the possibility of salvaging the KMP Gurita which sank off Aceh on Friday.
Haryanto said the operation is being considered to help recover the bodies of about 150 passengers believed to be trapped on the ship. Thus far only 52 bodies have been found.
According to Haryanto, President Soeharto reiterated yesterday the need for issuing transportation guidelines for air and sea travel to define lanes which are considered precarious or should be closed during the hazardous rainy season.
"The President reminded us to raise our alertness so that when something happens it is not because of the system but due to natural elements," Haryanto said. (mds)