Gus Dur: Give passengers the best
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid told officials of the Ministry of Communication on Sunday to continuously increase the services and facilities for passengers heading for their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri.
He said passengers should now look for maximum public services, and no more minimum ones.
"Passengers are not horses which will accept whatever services or facilities are provided," the President said as quoted by Antara during an impromptu visit to the Senen Railway station in Central Jakarta.
His entourage included First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, Minister of Communications Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman and Chief of Jakarta Garrison Brig. Gen. Hasanuddin.
Prior his visit to the Senen Railway station, President Abdurrahman made a spot-check on the facilities and services at the Kampung Rambutan intercity bus terminal in East Jakarta and the Tanjung Priok seaport in North Jakarta.
"People do not only look for safety during their trip, but also comfort.
"Therefore, please pay attention to their voices," he said.
Upon hearing a descriptive report on preparations for the post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration transportation system from an executive of state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), the President admitted that people first wondered how to reach their hometowns and gave little thought to their comfort.
"They still only think about their safety, while comfort is another matter," Abdurrahman, who is popularly known as Gus Dur, said.
The President and his entourage received a warm welcome from the crowd when they inspected the KM Sinabung Belawan, which was docked in the harbor.
"Thank you Ibu (Nuriyah Abdurrahman)," yelled several passengers to the First Lady.
"Long live Gus Dur ... Long live Gus Dur," others shouted.
The President and his wife went aboard the ship, but were unable to talk with passengers.
Similar calls for better services and facilities were aired by the President during his visit to the Kampung Rambutan bus terminal.
"Do not jeopardize the passengers," the President told executives of the Jakarta office of the Public Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ).
In Semarang, the head of Central Java's public land transportation agency, Srihono, said the office would fine motorists violating a government ruling which bans private cars from plying the main route along Java's north coast from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8.
In its newly released regulation, the Directorate General of Land Transportation stipulates that the north coast road, spanning from Cikampek in West Java to Semarang in Central Java, will only accommodate public transportation.
During the restrictive period, holidaymakers leaving or bound for Jakarta in private cars will be detoured to southern routes. One of the alternative routes is that of Cikampek-Purwakarta- Padalarang-Bandung-Tasikmalaya-Banjar-Wangon. Those coming from East Java for Jakarta are advised to use the Solo-Yogyakarta- Purworejo-Gombong-Buntu-Wangon-Banjar-Ciamis-Tasikmalaya-Bandung- Padalarang-Purwakarta-Cikampek-Jakarta route.
Trucks are also barred from the northern routes, except those carrying fuel, essentials and cattle.
The annual exodus prior to the Idul Fitri holiday is expected to peak three days before the celebrations, which begin on Saturday. (imn/amd)