Thousands use ferries to Bali

BANYUWANGI, East Java: The approaching new year and start of the Moslem Ramadhan month has seen a sharp increase in the number of passengers and vehicles using the ferries from Ketapang Port, Banyuwangi, to Gilimanuk, Bali.

The route is the main sea connection between Java and Bali.

At least 18,000 passengers traveled on the state-owned ferries last week, a 50 percent increase from previous weeks.

The head of operations of the Bayuwangi-based River and Lake Ferry Service, Supar Sanyoto, said here yesterday that on Saturday alone 18,499 passengers and 3,528 two-and four-wheeled vehicles boarded the ferries.

On Sunday the number rose to 18,750 people and 3,573 vehicles.

Seventeen ferries have been laid on in anticipation of the swelling crowd.

"The peak number of passengers and vehicles that cross from Ketapang to Gilimanuk will occur today," he said as quoted by Antara. He noted that on the same day last year 80,000 passengers took the ferry crossing.

River and Lake Ferry Services are expected to operate 24 hours a day despite the advent of the new year and Idul Fitri. (mds)