Jakarta, July 15 (Antara) -- As seen in previous years, thousands of Eid travelers joined the free 'mudik' (hometown trip) programs organized by government agencies and companies for this year's Eid, or Lebaran, festivities.
The free rides, known as 'mudik gratis,' which are offered to those traveling to their hometowns so they can celebrate the Eid Fitr holidays that follow the fasting month, has become increasingly popular over the past several years.
It was predicted that this week, some 20 million people across the country will embark on their homebound journeys before Eid or Lebaran Day on July 17, and will return after the festival.
While some chose to travel by private vehicles or means of public transportation, thousands of travelers opted to join the free mudik programs offered by the government or private companies.
Director General of Sea Transportation Bobby M. Mamahit saw off thousands of travelers heading to their hometowns for Eid using a free mudik program, at Tanjung Priok Port on Wednesday.
The director general saw off the passengers of KM Dobonsolo ship, which transported 2,355 people and 1,220 motor vehicles from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port to Semarang's Tanjung Mas Port.
"This is the last batch of passengers of the free mudik program of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation. Eid travelers who want to travel free of charge use this ship service," Mamahit said on Wednesday.
He added that the number of passengers aboard the vessel was still far from its maximum capacity of 3,000.
"Most of the Eid travelers registered for a round trip. As compared to that for the same program last year, fewer number of people signed up for the free mudik program this year," he remarked
Despite the service being offered for free, only a small number of passengers opted for it due to the lack of publicity, Mamahit pointed out. "The program should have been announced much earlier so it could gain popularity among the public."
The fixed date of departure of ships of the free mudik program was also one of the factors travelers took into consideration.
Furthermore, the director general noted that the reverse flow of travelers was expected to take place from July 23 to 27.
He affirmed that his office will improve any shortcomings encountered during their homebound journeys so that travelers do not face the same issues on their trips back to Jakarta.
KM Dobonsolo is one of the ships being operated by state-owned shipping line PT Pelni to serve Eid travelers in the free mudik program.
The ship, which left Tanjung Priok at 4:00 p.m., can sail at a speed of 17 knots and can cover the Jakarta-Semarang route in 14 hours.
Moreover, state-owned gas distributor PT PGN organized a free mudik program on Tuesday, which saw the participation of 4,100 travelers. They departed from Jakarta to various cities in Java and Lampung (Sumatra) in 95 buses.
President Director of PT PGN Hendi Prio Santoso said in a written statement that the participants of the program this year increased 63 percent from 2,520 travelers, traditionally known as 'pemudik.'
"The enthusiasm of people going to their hometowns with the service offered by PGN continues to increase by the year," Santoso stated after bidding farewell to the travelers in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The participants of PGN's free mudik program included the Bajaj Gas Community (Kobagas), employees of PGN and journalists.
According to Santoso, Kobagas has been helpful in the government's fuel-to-gas conversion program. "Kobagas is one of the users of natural gas, which is eco-friendly, efficient and safe. By using gas as fuel, Bajaj drivers can save Rp60,000 to Rp80,000 per day," he pointed out.
Division Head of Corporate Communications of PGN Irwan Andri Atmanto stated that the destination routes of the free mudik program this year was raised from five to eight.
The routes covered Pantura I (Java's northern coast), passing through the Indramayu-Cirebon-Kuningan sections; Pantura II, passing through the Cirebon-Tegal-Semarang-Demak-Kudus-Pati-Rembang sections; and Pantura III, covering the Cirebon-Tegal-Semarang-Ungaran-Salatiga-Solo-Madiun sections.
Among the others are Pantura IV (Cirebon-Tegal-Semarang-Ungaran-Magelang-Solo); Pantura V (Cirebon-Tegal-Semarang-Surabaya); the central lane covering the routes of Cirebon-Bumiayu-Ajibarang-Wangon-Kebumen-Purworejo-Yogyakarta; the southern lane passing through the Nagrek-Tasik-Ciamis-Majenang-Kebumen-Purworejo-Yogyakarta sections; and another route leading to cities in Lampung province of Sumatra.
In addition, cellular phone operator Telkomsel saw off 2,500 Eid travelers using its free ride program "Mudik Bareng Telkomsel 2015." It included 50 buses to Yogyakarta, Solo, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang, Madiun, Malang, and Surabaya.
"The annual joint mudik program is organized as an appreciation for customers. We hope they get the opportunity to celebrate the Lebaran festivities in their hometowns," President Director of Telkomsel Ririek Andriansyah remarked while seeing off their departure at the eastern parking lot of Senayan Sports Complex on Tuesday.
He added that the joint mudik program organized this year included four modes of transportation---airplanes, ships, trains and buses---with the total number of travelers reaching 4,000.
Furthermore, the office of the coordinating minister for maritime affairs also prepared five warships to transport Eid travelers for free, according to retired admiral Marsetio, who is a senior adviser to the chief minister for maritime affairs.
He pointed out that the warships were on standby to ferry the increasing number of passengers. "The navy is preparing five warships, two of which were from the Ministry of Transportation. They are on standby and are ready to transport travelers as soon as they register for the trips," Marsetio, who is a former navy chief, affirmed.
At least two warships, KRI Banda Aceh-593 and KRI Surabaya-591, have left for Semarang and Surabaya, respectively. ***4***(T.A014/INE/B003)EDITED BY INE
(T.SYS/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 15-07-2015 22:51:1 |
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