For some, Idul Fitri holidays have just begun

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sun, 10/05/2008 10:42 AM  |  Headlines

Many people in Jakarta chose to delay their homeward-bound (mudik) journeys until after Idul Fitri to avoid the crowds, unaware that they would still face crowded trains regardless.

Supriyanto, his wife and their 10-month-old daughter were among passengers waiting at Senen station on Saturday afternoon.

"I delayed my trip because I thought it would be less crowded after Idul Fitri. The television also said so.

"I was surprised to find so many people at the station when I got here," said Supriyatno who was sitting on the platform floor with a box and two bags. His wife stood next to him lullabying their daughter.

"But the tickets were easy to get and they were no more expensive than usual, so I am OK," he told The Jakarta Post.

Several hundred passengers, many of whom were women and children, were waiting for trains -- some sitting on the few seats provided, while most rested on the white tiled floor.

Senen station head Barosad IM said the train company had expected the crowds and had arranged 24 trips for the day, which he said was enough to cater for everybody.

By 2 p.m. on Saturday, more than 7,000 people had left. Barosad expected some 11,000 more to leave before the end of the day, more than last year's total, 7,813.

Senen station saw 11,643 passengers leave Jakarta on Friday, and a total of some 160,000 over the past 12 days. The busiest periods were last Saturday and Sunday when more than 21,000 people caught trains there.

"The station is still sending off a lot of people, although now it is back to receiving mode. I think tomorrow the outbound flow will still be as busy but it should slow to around 7,000 people a day from Monday onward," he said.

The station also saw an increase in the flow of inbound passengers which totaled around 11,000 on Saturday. Barosad expected the number of inbound passengers to peak on Sunday.

"Last year the peak happened on the 7th day after Idul Fitri, but this year it may happen on Sunday, the third day. Many people will start working on Monday, unless they skip it.

"Many passengers have already left stations in East and Central Java and are on their way to Jakarta," he said.

The heavy passenger flows have been good news for businesses at the station, offering various items ranging from food and drinks to toys.

A mobile toy seller, Toi, said he had made around Rp 1 million on Friday and Rp 500,000 on Saturday.

"I had to pay Rp 350,000 for a permit to sell here for 10 days -- five days before and after Idul Fitri.

"Usually I work at Jatinegara Station, and the best I could do was make Rp 300,000 a day. So it was worth it to get the permit," he said.

Senen station has maintained security and has had no reports of crime so far for this holiday season.

"We have 65 police officers on patrol. We cleaned up the place and removed any obstructions so we could monitor passengers more easily. Even if people want to (commit crimes), there are no places for them to do it," Barosad said.

The station is monitored with 16 closed circuit television cameras.

Security officers urged passengers to wear no accessories, to bring less cash and to draw less attention to themselves. (mri)

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