Sutiyoso predicts smaller number of Idul Fitri travelers
Sutiyoso predicts smaller number of Idul Fitri travelers
JAKARTA (JP): The number of Idul Fitri travelers leaving the
city this year is estimated to be much lower than earlier
predicted, Governor Sutiyoso said on Tuesday.
The governor came to the conclusion after his entourage
visited Kampung Rambutan inter-city bus terminal in East Jakarta,
Pasar Senen Railway Station and Tanjung Priok Seaport.
During the visit to Senen in Central Jakarta, the governor was
told by the head of inter-city trains for the state railway
company PT KAI, Whosep Muktamar, that traveler numbers were still
low.
"We have not even utilized our more than 100 reserve trains as
all passengers were able to be accommodated on the regular
trains," he said.
On Monday, five days before the post-fasting month holiday,
the busy station registered 12,519 passengers departing for
various destinations in Java. The figure is slightly lower than
13,435 from the same period before last year's Idul Fitri.
A total of 12,051 passengers departed on Sunday.
Whosep said trains deployed during the peak travel season were
allowed to carry passenger loads 150 percent to 200 percent above
standard capacity.
"This overload will not risk passenger safety," he said.
Sutiyoso was accompanied by his four deputies, City Council
Speaker Edy Waluyo, heads of associated city agencies and high-
ranking city military and police officers.
His visit followed President Abdurrahman Wahid's impromptu
tour of same transportation facilities on Sunday.
At Tanjung Priok, West Navy Fleet Commodore Djuhana S. told
The Jakarta Post that there were three landing ship tanks (LST)
berthed at Tanjung Priok Naval Base which could be used as backup
for regular motor vessel services during the Idul Fitri exodus.
"We have also deployed other LSTs at our major naval bases,
such as Medan and Surabaya," he said.
First Air Force Operation Command (Koopsau I) chief of staff
Commodore Sutrisno SP, who was also at the seaport, said his
personnel were ready to provide airlifts for the travelers at any
time upon the request of Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters.
"We have two squadrons of Hercules airplanes ready to be
deployed when necessary," he told the Post, adding that a
squadron consisted of from 12 to 16 airplanes.
"All the airplanes are based at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force
Base in Jakarta and at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in
Malang, East Java. We can dispatch the airplanes as soon as we
receive the request," Sutrisno said.
To the governor and his entourage, the head of state-owned
shipping company PT Pelni, Simon Patalessy, said that most of the
motor vessels carrying the Idul Fitri passengers were already
fully loaded and cleared to set sail.
"The ships are allowed to carry an additional 50 percent of
recommended capacity without risk to the passengers' safety."
Simon said the company had deployed 21 ships of its fleet
which were bound for various destinations throughout the
archipelago.
"We have 11 2,000-passengers, nine 1,000-passengers and three
500-passengers vessels," Simon said.
Dirty
Later in the afternoon at Kampung Rambutan terminal, Sutiyoso
was disappointed to find the dirty and poorly maintained
facility.
"You must pay attention to the building and environment of the
terminal, don't let it get in such a mess," he told head of
City's Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJR) Buyung Atang, an
active military colonel.
"You must keep this terminal tidy since it's less than 10
years old." He ordered Buyung to prepare a presentation on how to
refurbish the terminal.
Buyung told the governor that predictions for passengers
leaving through the terminal might not be met.
"One reason is that several companies chartered buses for
their employees. Another is that students started their school
vacation at the start of Ramadhan, and perhaps they already made
their trips home," he said. (05/asa)