The Lebaran exodus period officially started on Sunday, when Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan dispatched the Surabaya-bound Gayabaru Malam Selatan train from Senen railway station in Central Jakarta.
Four prospective passengers who had just missed the train were seen running after the train, in front of the transportation minister and his entourage.
When the minister asked them to be patient, one of Surabaya-bound passengers dropped his luggage on the floor and said, "I paid Rp200,000 for my ticket but I still missed the train."
Meanwhile, it was reported on Monday that motorcycle groups, mostly from Jakarta, were seen on Java island`s northern coastal highway, heading for the cities in West and Central Java.
Because of increasing fuel prices and the high cost of public transport during Lebaran holiday season, travelling by motorcycle has gained popularity in the past years, despite the higher risks involved.
Therefore, Indonesian Police (Polri) personnel have decided to focus mainly on those homeward-bound Id-ul-Fitr holiday travelers who will use motorcycles.
"In our efforts to reduce traffic accidents during Ketupat Operation 2012, we will give special attention to holiday travelers returning to their home villages on motorcycles," National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo said here on Friday.
He added that driving motorcycles during the Lebaran holiday exodus was risky because two-wheelers were not suitable for long-distance trips.
"People tend to use motorbikes to avoid traffic jams and to reduce transportation costs. However, according to the police data collected during Ketupat Operation 2011, 76 percent of traffic accidents involved motorcycles," Timur pointed out.
Meanwhile, Traffic Police Chief Inspector General Puji Hartanto stated that motorcycle riders were most likely to become victims of traffic accidents during the Lebaran holiday rush.
"We hope holiday travelers this year will use other modes of transportation instead of motorcycles," Puji said, adding that Polri had cooperated with PT Jasa Raharja and Land Transportation Directorate General in providing free travel for holidaymakers.
He predicted that the number of travelers using motorcycles during the holiday season this year would increase by 7-8 percent.
In Cirebon, West Java, traffic police spokesman Adjunct Inspector-I Heru said thousands of motorcyclists from Jakarta were seen on the northern highway - across Subang, Indramayu, and Cirebon - over the weekend as well as on Monday morning.
"Traffic density, with thousands of motorcycles and many trucks and public buses, has been increasing since Saturday evening and it will probably continue to rise throughout Monday evening," he stated.
With increasing number of motor vehicles on Java province`s northern highway, Heru added, traffic accidents would be inevitable because the motorcyclists did not obey the traffic signals.
"On Sunday alone there were five accidents, because motorcyclists were breaking traffic rules," he pointed out.
"Some temporary markets set up between Indramayu and Cirebon were also responsible for the traffic congestion," Heru added.
He said such markets worsened the traffic congestion because traders placed their merchandise on the roads.
Although the government had encouraged travelers to use buses, trains, ships, and airplanes, it seemed as if people still preferred to make their journey home on motorbikes.
Starting Saturday through Monday, homeward-bound travelers were seen with their luggage wrapped in cardboard boxes or bags, which were strapped to the front and back sides of their motorbikes. Those using private four-wheelers had placed their luggage on the roofs of the vehicles.
This year`s seasonal exodus has already begun, which is evident from the numerous travelers - mostly motorcyclists - moving eastward on the main highways linking Jakarta with the interior regions of Java.
Meanwhile, Purwanto, a traveler from Jakarta to his home village in Kudus, Central Java, stated that he enjoyed traveling by motorcycle because he felt safer. "Bikers help each other when something happens," he added.
Purwanto said he chose to start his journey early in the morning in order to avoid congestion.
"I have learnt from past experience that if I start early, I will not be trapped in massive traffic jams on the northern coastal highway," he added.
"In the past, we had gotten trapped in massive traffic jams on the northern coastal highway. Some traditional flea markets between Indramayu and Cirebon districts also cause traffic problems," Purwanto went on.
He explained that motorcycles had become the preferred mode of transport during the exodus because fuel prices had spiraled and public transport became too expensive during the holiday season.
Wahyudi, another motorcyclist from Jakarta said while resting in Indramayu, Cirebon district, on Sunday that the trip from Jakarta to Indramayu was smooth.
"Only cargo transport vehicles sometimes pose problems for other travellers," he pointed out.
Although Wahyudi admitted that traveling by motorcycle during Lebaran holiday exodus was fraught with risks, he said he still preferred two-wheelers because he could stop and take rest anywhere he wished to.
Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan has encouraged holiday travellers to use public transportation instead of motorcycles.
"The travelers can go by ships or trains along with their motorcycles to their home villages to celebrate Lebaran with their family and relatives," he said.
"Ferry and train services will be increased so that holiday travellers can have a pleasant and comfortable journey home," the minister added.
He also expressed hope that the number of traffic accidents involving motorcycles would decrease this year.(*)
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
