Holiday exodus has peaked, but its not over yet
Holiday exodus has peaked, but its not over yet
JAKARTA (JP): Predictions that the peak of the holiday exodus
would fall yesterday -- three days before Idul Fitri -- turned
out to be incorrect as 180,000 people had left the city Sunday.
Only an estimated 110,000 holidaymakers departed yesterday,
including 38,000 train passengers and another 60,000 on buses,
according to data from the national Idul Fitri post.
The data revealed that 152,000 people boarded public land
transportation Sunday, while a further 28,000 departed from
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Merak Port and in their
private vehicles.
The head of the City Land Transportation Agency, J.P. Sepang,
said Sunday's figures for those traveling by land exceeded last
year's 24-hour peak of 142,000 passengers.
"I think the peak of the exodus was recorded on Sunday,
because many private corporations had started their holidays on
Saturday," he said.
"This year is also quite extraordinary because the flow of
passengers proceeded in an orderly fashion so, even though the
crowds were huge, everybody got to their bus."
Governor Sutiyoso said, after meeting with President Soeharto
at his residence on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta, that this
year's exodus is projected to reach 2.5 million people.
The number was far less than the Directorate General of Land
Transportation's estimation of 3.5 million people traveling out
of the city during the Idul Fitri holiday.
Sutiyoso reiterated his warning yesterday that no new migrants
should enter Jakarta. He made the statement during a visit to
Senen railway station, in Central Jakarta, and Pulogadung bus
terminal, in East Jakarta.
He has repeatedly warned people -- who lack the necessary
skills and experience -- not to come to Jakarta because it is not
a dream city and they will become a burden for existing
residents.
"I understand that it is difficult to prevent people from
coming to the city. Therefore, the best thing to do now is to
actively encourage people to stay in their hometowns and stop
burdening this city."
During his visit, Sutiyoso also told passengers not to bring
back their relatives and friends.
He approached a teenage boy and asked him about his
background.
"So you're from Padang ... do you feel that living in Jakarta
is easy?"
"It's difficult, Sir," the boy answered. "I've just been laid
off ... I was working at a factory but it went bankrupt."
"So, are you planning to come back?" the 52-year-old general
said. "If you do ... please don't bring companions with you.
"Padangnese are usually very good in business and very
thrifty, too. I wish you good luck then."
The boy smiled and said he would give job hunting another shot
when he returns to Jakarta.
There were more incidents of fare violations yesterday at the
bus terminals.
At Pulogadung, the Apollo bus company charged a passenger Rp
42,000 for a one way ticket to Surakarta, far more than the
official price of Rp 35,000.
The bus company will be notified of the violation and further
action will be taken by Directorate General of Land
Transportation.
Shopping
After visiting the bus terminal, Sutiyoso headed to Pasar
Minggu terminal in South Jakarta and surprised two girls who were
shopping near the terminal.
"I want to buy new pants and skirts, Sir," a seven-year-old
girl said, prompting Sutiyoso to open his wallet and give her Rp
20,000.
"Here's your Lebaran present," he said and the crowd laughed
in response.
The chief of Purwakarta Regional Police, Col. Rakhmat, said
there have been at least 19 traffic accidents in his area,
particularly near the Cikopo gate of the Cikampek toll road,
since Jan. 20.
"Sixteen people have died in these accidents."
He expects a rise in the number of vehicles passing through
his area.
"I think more than 26,000 vehicles will pass through here
tonight," he said, adding that the traffic flow peaked last
Saturday with 26,000 vehicles.
The national Idul Fitri post estimates 100,000 people will
leave Jakarta today. (edt/cst)