The routine ships could become a transportation choice for travelers during Eid homecoming in the coming years, he said.
"There is a good phenomenon on the public enthusiasm in using the ship even though it is Jakarta-Semarang, they enjoy it very much," he remarked after a limited meeting held to evaluate the 2022 Eid homecoming at the Presidential Palace, here on Tuesday.
The meeting was led by President Joko Widodo.
Sumadi said his ministry has reflected on the enthusiasm shown by the public in participating in the free homecoming via sea program organized by it.
Therefore, he said he wants the Jakarta-Semarang route to be made regular through the introduction of weekly or monthly schedules.
“So, the Jakarta-Semarang route can become common, and during Eid, we can develop it better; Hence, systematically, we are oriented to mass transportation as Mr. President has repeatedly said that the government must hold mass transit both within the city and to outside the city," he explained.
Earlier, on May 13, 2022, the Transportation Ministry had announced a free homecoming program for Eid. The program offered round-trip homecoming via sea for 3,822 people and 1,582 units of motorcycles on the Jakarta-Semarang-Surabaya route.
The program utilized two ships owned by state-owned ferry company PT Pelni: KM Dobonsolo and KM Ciremai.
As ANTARA has reported earlier, KM Dobonsolo usually sails from Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta to Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, without halting in Semarang. It usually continues its voyage to Makassar, Bau-Bau, Ambon, Sorong, Serui, and Jayapura.
Meanwhile, KM Ciremai serves an almost similar route: Tanjung Priok - Surabaya - Makassar - Bau-Bau - Sorong - Manokwari - Biak - Jayapura.
Related news: Ministry rolls out free sea transport facility for Eid travelers
Related news: Pelni readies 49 thousand seats for Eid al-Fitr homecoming trips
Translator: Gilang G, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
