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)