People begin pouring back into city

People begin pouring back into city

JAKARTA (JP): City residents began crowding railway stations
and intercity bus terminals on Friday as they returned from their
hometowns after the Idul Fitri holiday.

"There were more than 11,000 passengers who arrived at Pasar
Senen Railway Station as of 8 p.m., and we expect to have more
passengers later in the evening and early in the morning," said
station chief Susmiarto.

The station itself, located in Central Jakarta, was quiet in
the afternoon as most trains were scheduled to arrive later in
the evening from Central and East Jakarta. There was still a
significant number of departing passengers.

It was a similar scene at Gambir station, also in Central
Jakarta.

A number of returning Idul Fitri travelers (in the picture)
was seen lining up outside Gambir Railway Station shortly after
departing from their trains.

The stations became busier in the evening with the arrival of
the scheduled trains.

Meanwhile, an official at Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in
East Jakarta, Rusito, said more than 25,000 passengers had
arrived.

"The terminal is starting to be busy again but everything is
under control," he said.

An official at the Pulogadung terminal, also in East Jakarta,
reported the arrival of more than 38,000 passengers.

Separately, head of the City Public Land Transportation
Agency, Buyung Atang, said 37 buses were caught for violating the
government-set fare increase.

"The agency will consider a temporary license revocation,
ranging from one month to six months," he said at City Hall.

The agency needed to collect additional data from officials
assigned to monitor the buses upon their departure, he added.

"We will also request information from the Indonesian
Consumers Foundation (YLKI) on fare violations," Buyung said.

The number of returning residents is expected to peak on
Saturday and Sunday.

Buyung estimated 150,000 people would arrive by bus over the
weekend. (05)