"We predict that May 31 will be the peak of this year's annual exodus. We must manage traffic starting from May 30 to June 5," he told journalists after attending a cabinet meeting highlighting the government's preparations for this year's Idul Fitri.
Sumadi said that travelers who plan to drive cars to reach their hometowns, particularly those in Java Island, might pass through toll roads. He advised them not to all travel on the same day, and to instead, depart on May 30 or even on May 29 evening.
The official holidays ahead of the Idul Fitri festivities marking the end of Ramadan will begin on May 30, he said, adding that managing the appropriate time of departure could help prevent traffic congestion, he said.
In addition to private cars and trains, people were also urged to travel home by other means of public transportation, particularly buses, to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, he said.
Budi Karya Sumadi said this year's annual exodus ahead of the Idul Fitri festivities could be better managed than that of the previous years thanks to the completion of new sections of toll roads.
"The President has emphasized the importance of managing traffic well on toll roads and non-toll roads," he said.
This year, the Trans-Java Highway, connecting the ferry port in Merak, Banten Province, to Surabaya, capital city of East Java Province, has been completed, thereby cutting short the travel time.
As part of the central government's prioritized development projects, the toll roads are also built outside Java, such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
