'Traffic during holidays smooth'

JAKARTA (JP): Traffic during Christmas and New Year's holidays was not as heavy as last year, an official said.

An official in charge of the Pulogadung bus terminal said yesterday the decline in traffic congestion could be linked to the approach of Idul Fitri, the Moslem post-fasting holiday which falls on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10.

"People will spend more money on Idul Fitri compared to New Year's," the official, who refused to be identified, said.

Traditionally, most Jakartans go to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri with their family.

Data obtained at the Pulogadung bus terminal showed that on New Year's day, more people came to Jakarta than those traveling out of the city.

The data also showed that 40,605 entered Jakarta on Dec. 29 alone. The total number of people who entered the city was still being calculated.

The decline in the number of vehicles leaving the city could be observed in the traffic from the terminal to the roads leading to Central and West Java.

On the other hand, it was business as usual along the opposite direction, which was marked by serious traffic congestion. (05)