As of today (Saturday), the number of passengers has exceeded nine thousand. That is based on the data on arrivals.
Batam (ANTARA) - The Batam Center International Port in Batam city, Riau Islands province, is offering 14 additional voyages during the 2024 Chinese New Year holiday.

The port's management has decided to increase the number of voyages to adjust to the increase in the inflow of passengers from Singapore to Batam, operational manager of the international port, Nika Astaga, informed in Batam on Saturday.

"The increase has only been recorded in arrivals. As for departures, everything has been relatively normal," he said.

Normally, the international port offers voyages on 83 ships, Astaga added.

Since Friday (February 9, 2024), the number of passenger arrivals at the port has increased 100 percent compared to normal.

"As of today (Saturday), the number of passengers has exceeded nine thousand. That is based on the data on arrivals. On normal days, only around four thousand passengers arrive in Batam," he disclosed.

He further said that the flow of arrivals will continue at night, adding that passengers are expected to start returning from Batam on Monday (February 12).

"Currently, arriving passengers have been dominating. I believe they will start departing (from Batam) tomorrow or Monday. The peak of the return flow is likely on Monday," he predicted.

The manager informed that his party held a coordinating meeting with the relevant stakeholders to anticipate a surge in incoming travelers.

He also said that the port is still experiencing difficulties in dealing with long queues during the holiday.

"Some of the stakeholders were not fully prepared. We are all aware that the number of passengers will boom since this is the Chinese New Year holiday. However, we will take notes from this shortfall to make evaluations, so that this problem will not reoccur," he added.



Related news: Whoosh train passenger traffic up 50% on Chinese New Year
Related news: Chinese New Year a momentum to improve oneself: VP Amin
Related news: AP II expects 7-10 percent surge in air passengers for long weekend







Translator: Jessica A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024