Banda Aceh, Aceh (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged Eid al-Fitr exodus travelers planning to use motorcycles to take advantage of the free transportation programs offered by the government and private parties instead.

"The government asks (travelers) not to use motorbikes because there are the free homecoming (programs) in which free buses are being provided for those who want to go home," he said here on Thursday.

The Ministry of Transportation is preparing to face this year's Eid exodus flow by reducing the number of travelers using motorcycles given the risk of traffic accidents. It is hoping to achieve this by offering the Free Eid Exodus (Mudik Gratis) program.

"The government has mapped out (the preparations needed) to face Eid, both in terms of food and beverage supplies and also for the expected large-scale exodus," the Vice President informed.

The government has prepared land, sea, and air transportation for the Eid exodus and return flow, as 123.8 million people are expected to travel during the period.

"The government has prepared security involving the police to anticipate accidents of motorcycle riders. There are many free exodus programs by the (central) government, local governments, and various communities," he said.

He asked travelers who still decide to use motorcycles to prepare and be careful and expressed the hope that there will be no road accidents.

The number of travelers with motorcycles during this year's Eid exodus flow is predicted to reach 25.13 million, or 20.3 percent of the total 123.8 million travelers, making it the second-most used mode of transportation after private cars.

With the free Eid exodus transportation program, the government expects the number of travelers using motorcycles to be reduced significantly.

Since the registration for the program opened on March 13, 2023, the available quota of 24,072 passengers on 585 buses has already been filled up.

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Translator: Desca N, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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