"There are three locations, namely Cipali (Cikopo-Palimanan), Merak, and Ketapang," he remarked after accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in monitoring the Eid exodus at Pasar Senen Station, Jakarta, on Monday.
Sumadi noted that of the three land routes, Cipali Toll Road and Merak Port are the two locations that are most challenging to handle.
According to the minister, the volume of traffic in the land sector in general increased significantly by 13 percent, higher than the figure of around 2–3 percent recorded during the corresponding period in the previous year.
"On the Cipali toll road, there was a day when it increased by 23 percent, but no congestion occurred," he recalled.
Sumadi underlined that the homecoming exodus situation around Merak Port was no less challenging. During the peak period on April 6–7, the queue of passengers spiraled for more than 10 kilometers.
He stated that the queue was triggered by the prospective passengers' disobedience in obtaining travel tickets.
“In this case, those who have not bought a ticket, even when their departure is tomorrow morning, came to the port, thereby causing a queue of more than 10 kilometers long,” he explained.
On that occasion, he noted that exodus trips by train are better planned to prevent a pileup of passengers.
Regarding the air transportation sector, he stated that 420 units of aircraft are used to serve people.
“With 420 aircraft, we can boost the number of passengers, meaning the occupancy and the trips increase,” he remarked.
He further noted that Eid exodus trips via sea routes are under control, especially in Pangkalan Bun, Batam, Samarinda, and Balikpapan.
“There is a little problem in East Java, especially in Tapal Kuda and Madura. However, I have tasked ships there and additional ships from the state-owned shipping company Pelni,” he remarked.
According to Ministry of Transportation, 193.6 million people are estimated to participate in the homecoming exodus to celebrate the upcoming Eid, which is projected to fall on April 10.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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