It is predicted that travelers during the Eid homecoming period will recover to the pre-pandemic numbers
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Transportation Ministry's Directorate General of Sea Transport is offering free sea transportation to citizens traveling on motorcycles during the Eid al-Fitr exodus period.

“(This will) Not only help ease road traffic and reduce motorcycle accidents, but free sea transport will also introduce a new means of transportation to travelers during the homecoming period, who are yet to experience sea transport," acting director general Mugen Sartoto said in a statement issued here on Monday.

The government has allowed residents to resume their homecoming tradition during the Eid al-Fitr this year after two years of celebrating Eid without their families or visiting their hometowns due to COVID-19-related mobility restrictions, he noted.

"It is predicted that travelers during the Eid homecoming period will recover to the pre-pandemic numbers," Sartoto said.

Despite the resumption of Eid homecoming travel, travelers are required to get vaccinated before undertaking travel to prevent spreading the virus in their hometown, the acting director general said.

"Travelers who want to join the free travel program must have received their COVID-19 booster vaccine or, if they have completed only the first or the second vaccine dose, documents required by Transportation Ministry Circular No. 37 of 2022," Sartoto informed.

He confirmed that the directorate general has prepared two ships -- PT Pelni-operated KM Dobonsolo and KM Ciremai -- to cater to Eid exodus travelers using motorcycles.

The two ships can accommodate passengers, cargo, and vehicles, he said, adding that the facilities at the two ships include lifeboats, prayer rooms, cafeteria, entertainment facilities, and safety equipment.

All participants of the free cruise program will receive free travel insurance, he added.

Both ships will serve the Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya round trip routes, the acting director general said.

For the outbound cruise, KM Dobonsolo will depart on April 26, 2022, at 1 p.m. local time (UTC +7), while KM Ciremai will depart on April 29 at 10 p.m. local time. All departures will be from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, he informed.

For the return trip from Surabaya to Jakarta, KM Ciremai will depart on May 9 at 5 p.m. and KM Dobonsolo will depart on May 11 at 5 p.m., he added.

Registration for the free cruise program will be open from April 18 to 24, 2022 online on the website http://mudikgratis.dephub.go.id/, and offline registration and data verification will be conducted at the Tanjung Priok Port Authority Office or the Ministry of Transportation Office.

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Translator: Adimas Raditya FP, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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