Jakarta, June 20 (Antara) - In the face of Idul Fitri Day on Sunday, Merak harbor, one of Indonesia's busiest ferry port, will see the peak of post-fasting Lebaran travelers next Thursday and Friday.
The Merak harbor in the western tip of Java links the island with Bakauheni port in Sumatra. The two harbors will be busy serving Idul Fitri or Lebaran travelers who wish to cross the Sunda Strait to celebrate the festivities in their hometowns.
This year, the Ministry of Transportation has predicted that a total of 19 million people across the country will travel to their hometown to have reunions with friends and family.
Locally called 'pemudik,' Lebaran travelers, who will cross the Sunda Strait to Sumatra, are expected to throng Merak port on Thursday and Friday.
According to Tommy L Kaunang, the general manager of state-owned waterway transportation service PT ASDP, the flow of passengers is expected to start increasing on Tuesday night or H-5 (five days before the D-Day).
Until Tuesday, at 8 a.m. local time, a total of 57,348 passengers had crossed into Bakauheni port of Lampung (eastern tip of Sumatra).
According to him, although the density of passengers on H-5 is not as high as last year's figure, the flow of passengers will start increasing by Tuesday night.
"Since H-7 or Sunday (June 18) to Tuesday (June 20), the passenger traffic has not been significant, especially the pedestrian passengers, but it is expected to rise tonight. Crowds will be seen tomorrow as well, before peaking on Thursday (June 22) and Friday (June 23)," Kaunang noted.
Up to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, ferry trips have been recorded at 127 trips in 24 hours, up 30.9 percent from that of the same period last year, which was 97 trips.
However, the total number of passengers was only recorded at 57,384, down 20.3 percent from the same period in 2016, which was 72,033.
The number of motorcycles ferried reached 2,977 units, or down 33.6 percent compared to last year, which was 4,486; four-wheelers (small vehicles) reached 6,415 units, down 19.9 percent compared to last year's 8,008 units; buses reached 392 units, or down 3.9 percent; trucks reached 1,675 units, or up 30.4 percent; and the number of four or more wheeled vehicles were 8,482 units, or down 12.6 percent compared to last year, which reached 9,701 units.
Thus, the total number of vehicles reached 11,459 units, or down 19.2 percent compared to last year, which totaled 14,187 units, he added.
In total, from H-10 until Tuesday morning, the number of passengers recorded who had been ferried had reached 254,556 people, or up 19.1 percent compared to last year, which only stood at 213,710 people.
Furthermore, two-wheelers were recorded at 10,120 units, or up 2.4 percent compared to last year, which were 9,861 units; four-wheelers reached 22,622 units, or up 5.1 percent compared to last year's 21,515 units.
Four or more wheeled vehicles reached 36,461 units, up 6.8 percent compared to last year's 30 units.
In total, the number of vehicles ferried reached 46,601 units, or up 7.3 percent compared to the same period last year, which was 43,411 units.
Kaunang called on all service users or travelers to remain vigilant and maintain their health during their homecoming and return trips and maintain orderliness at the port and on board ferries.
"Passengers do not have to worry about running short of tickets at the counter because tickets are adequate," he stated.
This year, pedestrian passengers can obtain tickets in 33 counters, or 20 counters more than those last year, which were only 11.
The counters for motorcyclists were increased by 13 counters to 17 from four regular counters last year.
Counters for four-wheelers also increased by nine from eight to 17.
Director of Services and Facilities of PSDP Indonesia Ferry Christine Hutabarat said the crossing service users can take advantage of online ticket services by accessing http://tiket.indonesiaferry.co.id and ticket sales outside the buffer zone for Go-show services, both on toll road and non-toll road.
In the meantime, Health Minister Nila F Moeloek inspected health facilities at the command post of Merak Ferry Port on Tuesday. "We hope Idul Fitri travelers would effectively utilize the health command post," the minister said during her visit.
As the Lebaran peak day is nearing, there will be a drastic increase in the number of passengers, both pedestrian passengers and those travelling by vehicles. The traffic is seen to be very busy as the state-owned ASDP waterway transportation service of Merak is operating six piers and 58 ferries.
Thus, Merak port should be equipped with health facilities to provide health services for travelers willing to cross the Sunda Strait to Sumatra Island. Travelers must be very tired to cover a long distance route that could create health problems.
With the health command post, travelers would get health services free of charge. The minister also inspected the ASDP office and observed the monitor screen facility, which will be connected with the CCTVs of the six piers and the toll gate to the Merak port. Nila also inspected the portable toilet in the port's Pier VI. ***1***
(A014/INE)EDITED BY INE(T.A014/A/BESSR/A. Abdussalam) 20-06-2017 22:14:0 |
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