Idul Fitri exodus to reach 15m

Idul Fitri exodus to reach 15m

SEMARANG: About 14.8 million people are expected to travel to their hometowns across Indonesia during this year's observance of Idul Fitri, which falls on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, a senior transportation official said on Thursday.

Susmono Susilo, director general for land transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, said the number represented an increase of 10 percent compared to last year.

"Those celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns will travel by bus, train, ship and ferry," he said in Semarang.

Susmono said that out of the total projected number of homebound travelers, 9.9 million will travel by bus, 2.2 million by train and 2.7 million by boat and ferry.

He did not say whether the number included those who will travel by plane. -- Antara