Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - State-owned Inland Waterway Transportation Service (ASDP) of Bitung in North Sulawesi is readying six ferries to serve the 2018 Eid al-Fitr, or Lebaran holiday travelers, better known as "pemudik."

"We are preparing six ferries for the Bitung-Melongunae District of Talaud Islands, Bitung-Ambon, and Bitung-Ternate routes," Bitung ASDP Operation Manager David Atma Wijaya remarked here on Thursday.

Wijaya noted that ahead of the long Lebaran holidays, ferries were the most frequent and dominant mode of transportation on the Bitung-Ternate route.

"We serve passengers to Ternate in North Maluku every day," he noted.

To meet the needs of sea freight passengers through PT ASDP, the fleet is still sufficient and can carry all passengers and goods.

"Usually, the ferries operating on the Bitung-Ternate route transport passengers and goods, although several travelers use air transport services," Wijaya explained.

Reflecting on last year`s homecoming flow, he noted that the number of passengers and goods transported by ferries increased by 107 percent as compared to normal conditions, and this year also the same number is estimated.

"We will continue to strive to provide the best service to the community and users of sea transport services," he explained.

Reporter: Nancy Lynda Tigauw
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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