Lampung readies for Idul Fitri exodus

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The peak of the Idul Fitri exodus is estimated for two days before the holiday with an estimated 68,000 people expected to be traveling on that day.

Idul Fitri is expected to fall on Jan. 9.

An official from the Lampung office of the Ministry of Communications, Sutardjo Djojo, said travelers, whose numbers are expected to increase by 10 percent from last year, would flock to the Bakauheni ferry terminal and Radjabasa bus terminal here.

"But this year we don't expect a significant increase (in the number of travelers) between Christmas and New Year," Sutardjo was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

At least 1,021 buses and 23 ferries have been readied to carry the passengers, he said.

Lampung Police will cooperate with the West Java Police to safeguard the passengers at the terminals from pickpockets and robbers, he said. (jun)