Most streets deserted, all Jakartans relax, enjoy
Most streets deserted, all Jakartans relax, enjoy
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Taxi driver Tadi wrongly decided to rush back to Jakarta from his
hometown in Tegal, Central Java, expecting less competition and
lots of passengers during Idul Fitri, which fell on Nov. 14 and
Nov. 15.
"I left for Jakarta after the Idul Fitri prayer early in the
morning on Sunday. But what I found here is not like last year
when demand for taxis was robust. I'd better go back to Tegal
tomorrow," Tadi told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Jakartans may still enjoy the seasonal light traffic around
the capital until next week, as the central government extended
the Idul Fitri holiday to Nov. 21.
Major thoroughfares in Jakarta were relatively deserted on the
third day of the holiday on Tuesday, but all major recreational
places in the city were packed with visitors.
State railway operator PT KAI Greater Jakarta spokesman Akhmad
Sujadi revealed that, as of Monday, 520,686 people had left the
city by train and only a small number had returned.
The extended holiday also saw in increased number of visitors
at recreational places, with the peak expected next Sunday.
The management of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East
Jakarta, estimates a 20 percent increase in visitors this season
from last year.
"We estimate the peak will be on Sunday, as most Jakartans
will be back in town, and they will spend the last day of the
holiday at recreational places, including TMII," park spokesman
Markoes Legimin was quoted as saying by Kompas Cyber Media on
Tuesday.
However, roads heading to recreational places have become
stress-inducing thoroughfares.
"Geez, everybody seems to have come here. I was planning to
have a relaxed stroll around the zoo with my family, but it is
turning out to be rather distressing," a Ragunan Zoo visitor,
Cahyadi, was quoted as saying by Detikcom on Tuesday.
Like thousands of other visitors, Cahyadi and his family, who
live in Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, had to queue up in a long
line to enter the zoo's parking lot.
Because of the traffic jam caused by cars queuing at the main
entrance on Jl. Ragunan, the management decided to open its West
Gate on Jl. Cilandak at 11 a.m.
Just like other Jakartans, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
and family went to Fantasy World in Ancol Dreamland in North
Jakarta on Tuesday.
His appearance surprised some visitors.
Getting around in a golf cart, the President stopped at one of
the buildings and asked people whether they had experienced
difficulty in obtaining tickets.
Most replied that they had obtained tickets quite easily.
Susilo then continued onto the main office to talk to the
management of Fantasy World.
Meanwhile on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, five people were
seriously injured in a three-vehicle accident.
Witnesses said that a speeding intercity bus owned by PO
Luragung hit a Suzuki Carry minivan. The minivan went into a spin
and five passengers were injured.
Losing control, the bus then hit a Mitsubishi Kuda minivan and
injured four of its passengers.