YLKI warns of rocky Idul Fitri journeys

YLKI warns of rocky Idul Fitri journeys

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) warned holidaymakers
on Monday not to expect a smooth journey, with disruptions likely
no matter the type of land transportation.

Tulus Abadi, who is coordinating the YLKI's Idul Fitri exodus
monitoring team, said the myriad problems afflicting land
transportation, primarily trains and buses, had yet to be
properly addressed by the government.

"Our record shows that there are still a large number of
vehicular accidents. However, the government has made no
improvements in promoting safety for travelers during the annual
exodus," he said at a media conference.

According to the YLKI's records, between August and September
of this year there were 22 serious accidents in Greater Jakarta,
including four collisions between trains and buses and three
train derailments. Over that same period, the foundation recorded
364 incidents of train locomotives suffering mechanical
problems.

The foundation also warned that state-run train operator PT
KAI was likely to suffer telecommunications, electricity and
signal problems ahead of the holiday exodus.

Idul Fitri falls on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 this year, while the
peak of exodus is expected from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23.

As for private buses, the foundation said that several days
prior to the exodus peak there was an increasing number of
incidents of bus operators ignoring the government's ruling on
floor and ceiling bus fare prices.

"Last year, the YLKI found a large number of bus operators
that arbitrarily increased fares higher than the ceiling price.
However, they were able to walk away free," Tulus said.

He called on the government to go beyond routine checks, as
"the safety of passengers could not be guaranteed with only
providing hammers and fire extinguishers for each bus".

The YLKI will establish posts in the Gambir and Pasar Senen
railway stations in Central Jakarta, and the Kampung Rambutan bus
terminal in East Jakarta, where travelers can lodge complaints.

Meanwhile, the head of the PT KAI operational area overseeing
Jakarta, Achmad Masduki, said additional business-class and
economy-class train tickets were still available at Senen
station.

Though business-class tickets for Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23
were already sold out, he said tickets for Nov. 24 were still
available.

A staff member at the railway station said that they were
working with the YLKI to monitor any irregularities and to ensure
all passengers received good service.

The head of the Pulo Gadung bus terminal in East Jakarta,
Pardjiman, said that preparations were well underway for the Idul
Fitri exodus.

"We have about 320 buses operating now. But we have requested
bus operators to prepare additional buses to anticipate a soaring
number of passengers," he said.

Pardjiman predicted there would be at least a 5 percent
increase in the number of passengers before and during the
holiday, and his office had suggested that bus companies operate
nonstop.

"That would mean each bus must have two drivers. Usually, bus
drivers rest for several hours after reaching their destinations.
If they have two drivers, they could drive back straight away,"
he said.