Perumka carries 3.8m passengers

BANDUNG, West Java: State-owned railway company Perumka transported more than 3.8 million passengers during the 30-day Idul Fitri exodus, starting from Jan. 15, the company's spokesman said yesterday.

Helmy Azis said the number of travelers rose by 11 percent from the previous year's total of 3.4 million.

Helmy said the number of homeward-bound passengers totaled 1.3 million while 2.2 million passengers traveled on trains after the holiday.

"We are satisfied that we could serve the people satisfactorily during the Idul Fitri transportation period. We don't project any profits," Helmy said without giving further details.

He said his company had anticipated the increase by setting up extra ticket counters, and laying on additional cars and locomotives.

The increase, he predicted, might have been caused by discounts offered for travelers leaving well in advance of the holiday.

"Also many people who usually take other land transportation took trains," he was quoted by Antara as saying.