Mudik traffic surges 60 per cent on H-11 Eid in Situbondo

Situbondo — Maman Surahman, manager of PT Dharma Dwipa Utama, stated that mudik (homebound) traffic during the eleventh day before Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah surged significantly, with ferry passenger numbers on the Situbondo-Madura route increasing approximately 60 per cent compared to normal days.

“The increase in mudik traffic on the eleventh day before Eid this year has reached around 60 per cent compared to ordinary days,” said Maman at Jangkar Port on Monday evening.

Two ferry vessels operated by PT Dharma Dwipa Utama, KMP Dharma Kartika and KMP Wicitra Dharma I, added extra trips during the Eid holiday period to ease passenger congestion.

For example, on the evening of the eleventh day, KMP Dharma Kartika on the Jangkar Port-Raas Island, Sumenep Regency route, carried approximately 324 passengers as well as numerous motorcycles and private vehicles.

The majority of homebound travellers from Raas Island work in Bali. They chose to depart earlier because Eid this year coincides closely with Balinese Nyepi Day, and thus wanted to avoid congestion at Jangkar Port.

“Most homebound travellers from Raas Island and Sapudi Island who work in Bali began their journey earlier to avoid long queues at the port,” explained Maman.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) will temporarily suspend ferry services on the Ketapang (Banyuwangi)-Gilimanuk (Bali) and Lombok routes during Balinese Nyepi Day as a mark of respect for the sacred day of Hindu observance.

This operational adjustment forms part of national transportation arrangements to maintain order and respect the observance of Catur Brata Penyepian on Bali Island.

Services at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi will be suspended from 18 March at 17.00 WIB until 20 March at 06.00 WIB.

At Gilimanuk Port in Bali, ferry operations will halt from 19 March at 05.00 WITA until 20 March at 06.00 WITA.