Idul Fitri goers start packing bus terminals

JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans intending to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns in West, Central and East Java started to pack the Pulogadung intercity bus terminal yesterday.

During an inspection of three terminals as part of the final preparations for the Idul Fitri exodus, head of the Land Transportation Control Agency J.P. Sepang found several people were already trying to buy tickets home.

They said they were going home early to avoid the rush just before Idul Fitri, which falls on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10.

At other terminals in East and South Jakarta, Sepang scolded officials for not providing adequate information.

At East Jakarta's Kampung Rambutan terminal he found ticket boxes only mentioned fares to final destinations but did not list fares for passengers going shorter distances.

At South Jakarta's Lebak Bulus terminal Sepang demanded all original fares and those increased by 25 percent in line with a government ruling, be listed on a big board in front of the terminals.

The 25 percent hike is effective seven days before Idil Fitri until 10 days after.

One terminal official had said his terminal was going to paste only a piece of paper listing fares on the board.

Homecoming travelers are often victims of scalpers because they do not know the fares and are desperate to get seats.

Normal

At Pulogadung the head of the terminal, Abdul Hakim, said the number of passengers was still normal.

"Passengers are predicted to peak seven days before Idul Fitri," Hakim said.

The Land Transport Agency estimates 1.6 million of 3.5 million travelers will take buses.

Sepang questioned passengers and ticket sellers.

A woman said she wanted to buy tickets to Solo, Central Java, for a trip three days before Idul Fitri.

Sepang told her this was not possible because booking was not allowed before the holidays.

"Bus operators are not allowed to raise or lower fares in a bid to get as many passengers as possible," Sepang said.

He said a special team would be deployed to monitor cheating bus owners and their crews. Members would be wearing civilian clothes and pose as passengers, he said.

"Buses which abandon their passengers can be put out of business for up to three months," Sepang said.

Last year, two bus companies were put out of business for a week for failing to provide extra buses in line with agreements it had made with the municipality.

Sepang warned holidaymakers, bus companies and drivers to expect rains.

"We have prepared everything, including extra buses and alternative routes, but we should prepare for unexpected problems like floods," Sepang said.

He urged container truck owners, thought to be a main cause of congestion, to check vehicles before using them.

Councilor Saud Rachman of the United Development Party faction went a step further saying container truck should not be driven during the peak traveling season.

The city will operate 9,397 buses for Idul Fitri, 2,095 of which are city public buses. They will be deployed at main terminals and 15 extra terminals. (ste)