"Those thousands of homecomers were transported by two ships operated by PT Pelni, namely Dobonsolo Motor Vessel and Ciremai Motor Vessel, on the Semarang-Surabaya route," acting director general of sea transportation at the ministry, Mugen Sartoto, said in a statement issued here on Friday.
The free homecoming exodus program was declared complete after the Dobonsolo Motor Vessel docked at the Tanjung Priok passenger terminal pier on Friday, he added.
Apart from getting free facilities, some program participants received door prizes, he said.
"In total, there were 383 door prizes given to participants," he informed.
He said that the program ran successfully and was lauded by many parties, including the residents and regional governments of Central Java and East Java.
"Hopefully, free homecoming exodus programs like this can continue to be carried out in the future," he added.
Related news: Bank Negara Indonesia offers free trips for 5,500 homebound travelers
He also apologized to the program participants for any inconveniences they experienced during the trip.
Sartoto promised that the shortcomings identified during this year's free homecoming program would be evaluated for improvement.
He also lauded relevant ministries and institutions that established strong collaboration so that the program could run safely.
He informed that the Eid homecoming exodus command post will remain open until May 18, 2022.
"We will remain alert in monitoring the mobility of passengers at 110 monitoring ports," he affirmed.
This year, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the Indonesian government allowed people to travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in view of the improving pandemic situation in the country.
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Transportation, the number of people joining the 2022 Eid homecoming exodus was pegged at 85 million.
Related news: Jakartans returning home must hold COVID-19-free certificates: police
Translator: Adimas Raditya, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
