Idul Fitri revelers continue to congest terminals, harbor

JAKARTA (JP): The outflow of city residents continued on Monday, with thousands flocking to major bus terminals, railway stations and the passenger terminal of Tanjung Priok harbor on their way to their home towns to celebrate Idul Fitri.

Even though it was not as busy as the previous day, thousands of people were queuing at ticket counters at the Pulo Gadung bus terminal in East Jakarta, unperturbed by ticket prices raised far above official rates.

Bus operators increased the tariffs by up to 50 percent above official rats to take advantage of the increased demand.

To get tickets on an air-conditioned bus to their hometown of Surabaya in East Java, Ahmad and Susi were forced to pay Rp 65,000 each, above the official tariff of only Rp 43,100.

"This happens every year before the Idul Fitri holiday," Ahmad said after seeing a billboard showing the maximum allowable increase of only 35 percent.

But nobody was paying any attention to the notice.

The official rate on an air-conditioned bus to Bangkalan, in Madura, was 49,300, but Kusnan, another bus passenger, was forced to pay Rp 70,000 to get to his hometown.

Sosro found that the economy fare on the Jakarta-Yogyakarta route was likewise increased from the official tariff of Rp 17,200, to Rp 25,000.

Neither Ahmad, Susi or Sosro filed complaints for the illegal tariff increase, saying that going home was far more important than the tariff.

"We have to buy tickets now as a ticketing official said that tomorrow (Tuesday) the tariff would be more expensive," Ahmad said. Starting Tuesday the central government will put the official 35 percent bus tariff increase into effect.

Meanwhile, in the harbor, ship passengers were seen carrying bigger bags and boxes than those that could be taken by bus or train. They carried electronics goods such as television sets, and someone was planning on taking a lounge suite on the boat with them.

The economy class passengers were buying sleeping mats, and other things to make their journey more comfortable, at harbor stalls.

The queue at the harbor's passenger terminal was short, as most people had already bought tickets.

Passengers waved to their relatives on the dock as the ship slowly pulled away.

On Monday, three ships owned by PT Pelni left the harbor, taking passengers to Ujungpandang, in South Sulawesi, and Kalimantan.

This year, traveling by ship is said to be the cheapest and most preferred way, especially for destinations outside Java.

Faruk, a passenger, said he chose to return to his hometown of Ujungpandang by ship because a first class ticket was much cheaper than an airplane ticket.

He said the official price for the first class Jakarta- Ujungpandang ticket was Rp 392,000 (US$52), while to travel the same route by air could cost more than Rp 1 million.

Some ticket brokers could still be seen at PT Pelni's ticket office on Jl. Angkasa, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, although it closed at 2 p.m.

Pane, one of the brokers, said that all tickets were sold out, but said he could help find tickets, especially for economy class.

"You can come here tomorrow. All the tickets, starting with those for first and second class, have been sold out since 10 days ago," Pane said.

He said that he only charged an additional fee of Rp 15,000 a ticket.

He said passengers could change the economy ticket into a first class ticket at a counter on the ship by paying an official on board.

PT Pelni's executive could not be reached for comment about such practices on Monday.

The shipping firm has a fleet of 20 passenger ships going to various destinations in the country. (jun/ind)