PPD to transport haj pilgrims

PPD to transport haj pilgrims

JAKARTA (JP): Garuda Indonesia has officially appointed the
state-owned transportation company PPD to handle the
transportation of haj pilgrims from the Pondok Gede haj dormitory
in East Jakarta to the Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

PPD Operation Director Djati Santoso said yesterday that the
company will field 27 air-conditioned buses, four trailers and
one box to transport the pilgrims and their luggage.

Garuda Indonesia is officially in charge of the arrangement of
both air and ground transportation of haj pilgrims.

"Garuda Indonesia pays Rp 2,500 for each pilgrim for the
service. If the government sends off 195,000 pilgrims in this
year's season, PPD will get a total of Rp 487.5 million for the
service," Djati was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said serious preparations have been made. Between 60 and 70
personnel, including drivers, were made available for the
project.

"We had very little time to prepare everything. We were told
to carry out the project on March 15, while the first flight will
be on March 23," Djati said.

Early reports said that a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, PT
Mandira, had competed against PPD for the project. (sur)