There is an extraordinary surge in passengers. The increase in passengers is around 20 percent as compared to 2019Cilegon, Banten (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy drew attention to an extraordinary surge in the number of passengers at Merak Port, Cilegon, Banten, thereby leading to vehicular congestion.
“There is an extraordinary surge in passengers. The increase in passengers is around 20 percent as compared to 2019," Effendy stated at Merak Port, Cilegon, Banten, Saturday, after reviewing passenger services at the dock.
The minister also noted that all parties, including the police and the River, Lake, and Crossing Transportation Agency (ASDP), had applied various methods to handle the surge in passengers.
The Cilegon Police has deployed around one thousand personnel to regulate the flow of travelers at Merak Port.
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Meanwhile, ASDP has implemented a policy to increase the number of ferry boats and expedite the loading and unloading process.
"We even brought an empty ship with no passengers from Bakauheni Port in Lampung. The ratio is 6:4 or 7:3, so there were six ships going to Bakauheni and three coming from there," he revealed.
Effendy later noted that the Transportation Ministry had also prepared two additional ports -- Indah Kiat Port and the Bojonegara Port -- to support Merak Port.
Effendy urged homecoming travelers to stay calm and maintain security since the government had ensured that all travelers will be accommodated to Sumatra.
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"Everyone will get on board. Therefore, I urge you to be patient. Do not be easily provoked because the atmosphere is not conducive," he remarked.
The volume of vehicles at Merak Port has continued to increase since the night of April 29 that is forecast to be the peak of the homecoming flow.
General Manager of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry at Merak branch, Lutfi Pratama, stated that around 32 thousand vehicles had entered Merak Port within 24 hours from April 29 to Saturday early morning.
"That is higher than the 2019 homecoming that is in the range of 20 thousand vehicles. However, ASDP will try to offer our best service to the passengers," he concluded.
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Translator: Michael Siahaan, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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