Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The government estimates the number of travellers to celebrate Lebaran post-fasting festivities in their hometowns this year will reach 15.5 million.
“Most of the homeward travellers come from Java but the number of homeward travellers from Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan is also quite large,” Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi said after inspecting the Merak ferry port in Banten province, along with a number of high ranking officials on Wednesday.
The other top officials included Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Joko Santoso, Indonesian Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, and Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto.
“The number of passengers is 7 percent above normal. On normal days the number of ferries plying between Merak port and Bakauheni port is three to four. But the number increases to five ahead of Lebaran post-fasting festivities. The number seems to fall short of the need so we operate another pier,” Freddy said.
He said good management of ferry ports was one of the keys to ensuring the smooth transportation of sea-borne homeward travellers.
“There has been an increase in the number of vehicles and passengers traveling from (Bakauheni port) in Lampung to Java two days ahead of the festivities. Hopefully, all relevant parties can overcome it. The same also applies to the Merak port in which 38 ferries have been made available to transport the homeward travellers,” he said.
He said the number of people travelling from Merak to Bakauheni reached an estimated 150 thousand on Tuesday. If the number increased on Thursday the port authorities must coordinate with all relevant parties including the military and police, he added.(*)
