More motorbikes expected for exodus

Panca Nugraha and Suherdjoko ,  The Jakarta Post ,  West Lombok, Semarang   |  Fri, 09/12/2008 10:53 AM  |  The Archipelago

The Transportation Ministry will prepare special trips for motorcyclists at ferry crossings linking Java and Sumatra Islands ahead of Idul Fitri, anticipating more people to use motorcycles to make the annual trip home.

The crossings between Merak in Banten and Bakauheni in Lampung have traditionally been the busiest points during the annual exodus and return traffic flow.

The ministry's Director General of Land Transportation, Iskandar Abubakar, said the special trips would be available six days before Idul Fitri at the latest, when a massive exodus of people for the end-of-Ramadan celebrations was predicted to begin.

Based on last year's experience of ferry usage, the biggest increase occurred among motorcyclists, Iskandar said after an impromptu visit to Lembar Port in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday.

Apart from the Merak-Bakauheni route, Iskandar said, sharp increases in passenger numbers also occurred on the Ujung-Kamal ferry crossing connecting Surabaya and Madura Island.

The Ujung-Kamal route normally serves some 20,000 passengers a day but could serve up to 90,000 one day ahead and after Idul Fitri, Iskandar said.

"So far the increase is under control -- meaning there are no long queues because we have anticipated the traffic by optimizing our services and are providing more trips," he said.

Separately, Lembar Port operational manager Slamet Suyono said the port would provide additional trips beyond its regular schedule in anticipating a sharp increase in numbers of passengers.

"Now we are no longer following the schedule. Every time a ferry is fully loaded, she departs," he said.

"The Lembar-Padang Bai, Bali route is currently served by 16 ferries that depart every three hours."

Separately, in Semarang, Central Java Police estimate some four million vehicles to pass through the province during the holiday period. They expect the exodus to begin 10 days prior to Idul Fitri which falls early in October this year.

This estimate was based on last year's figures, which saw more than two million of motorcyclists and almost two million cars in the province.

Central Java traffic police chief Sr. Comr. Gatta Chairudin warned motorists to be extra careful to avoid accidents.

"Three days before Idul Fitri will be the exodus peak. In attempting to reach their destinations faster, many motorists force themselves to go on even when they are tired and sleepy," he said.

Police observations have shown that motorcyclists were more vulnerable to fatigue compared to car drivers, Gatta said.

"Car drivers will still be in a reasonable condition after four hours, but motorcyclists are already too tired," he said.

"Riders should take a break after every two to three hours."

To reduce accidents, the police would add more rest areas along exodus routes where motorists could freshen up, he said.

In Bandung, the head of state railway operator PT Kereta Api's Operational Region II, Saiful Echwan, said all his employees were had been on their highest alert status since the beginning of Ramadan and would remain as such until after the Idul Fitri break.

Saiful said, "We are anticipating an increase of crimes on trains and at stations, with an increase in the theft of rails and other devices recently."

"We do not want to take any risks, because if there are any missing rails, thousands of passengers' lives are at stake."

Saiful said more than 1,400 employees under his command were not allowed to take annual leave until two weeks after Idul Fitri.

Similar sentiments were expressed by West Java Provincial Police chief Insp. Gen. Susno Duadji who said he would put all police officers on highest alert for 16 days, as of one week before Idul Fitri.

Yuli Tri Suwarni contributed to the article from Bandung.

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