"We reported that there is an increase in the number of people who will partake in the exodus from 85 million (in 2022) to 123 million people (in 2023)," Minister Budi Karya Sumadi informed at a press conference following the meeting at the Presidential Office here on Friday.
The number of exodus travelers from Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) has been predicted to increase from 14 million to 18 million, Sumadi noted.
"It means there will be an increase of 47 percent nationally and 7 percent for Jabodetabek," he said.
According to the minister, the research on exodus travelers was carried out via data collection with a margin of error of less than 5 percent. Travelers will use various means of transportation, such as ships, trains, planes, and land transport, he said.
"For air (transport), trains, and sea (transport), it is relatively manageable because the three use ticketing facilities. Thus, we can control who buys (the tickets), the number, and so on," he explained.
To handle exodus travelers who will use private vehicles, more detailed management efforts are needed, he said.
"Based on our research, 22 percent will join the exodus by using private cars and 20 percent will use motorcycles," he informed.
Regarding the land route for the exodus, he said it has been estimated that there will be a build-up of vehicles at the Cipali and Merak toll roads.
He appealed to travelers against using motorcycles during the exodus, saying it was dangerous.
"We are coordinating with the police, traffic corps, that the highest accident rate is (among travelers who use) motorcycles. Moreover, the journey takes around 3 to 10 hours, so it is very tiring," he said.
To prevent people from using motorcycles during the exodus, he informed that his ministry has readied 500 buses as well as allotted train and ship passenger quotas for free exodus transport services.
The minister expressed the hope that other ministries and private parties would also provide free exodus transport services.
Related news: Toll roads still preferred by Eid exodus travelers: MTI
Related news: Ministry readies passenger quota of 65 thousand for free exodus
Related news: Police chief asks Traffic Corps to prepare exodus strategy earlier
Translator: Rangga Pandu, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
