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.