Idul Fitri goers start packing bus terminals

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)