Motorcyclists dominate return traffic

The majority of travelers returning to Jakarta and Bandung after celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns on Thursday were motorcyclists.

A marked increase was noticed in the number of returning travelers passing through the main Pantura north coast highway in Losari, on the border between West Java and Central Java.

The rate of motorbikes heading from Central Java toward Jakarta averaged 6,000 an hour, while private cars went by at a rate of 3,000 an hour, an increase from the previous day's figures of 5,000 motorbikes and 2,000 cars an hour.

"Motorbikes made up the bulk of the returning Idul Fitri traffic," said Cirebon Police deputy chief Comr. Dicky Budiman.

"The traffic through Losari has so far been smooth."

He added the returning traffic was expected to peak on Sept. 26 and 27, when school holidays and work leave came to an end.

Dicky said local police would open up several alternative routes to Jakarta to deal with the expected surge in traffic, including the Palimanan (Cirebon), Kadipaten (Majalamgka), Tomo (Sumedang), Cikamurang (Subang) and Cikampek routes.

"These roads are all in good condition," Dicky said.

"We're hoping they'll help ease the traffic congestion during the Idul Fitri return journey."

He added traffic jams would likely occur at markets that spilled out onto the street, such as the Losari, Gebang and Tegalgubug (Arjawinangun district) markets.

Police will mobilize two platoons of 120 officers at each of the markets.

The number of travelers returning to Bandung, West Java, has not increased markedly.

"Compared to the previous day, the number of arriving passengers is up by 40 percent, but this is still considered normal," Cicaheum bus terminal head Arifin Karsa said Thursday.

He added most travelers were coming in from East Java and Central Java.

"The number of passengers is expected to reach 10,000, and the peak of the returning traffic at the terminal is likely to occur on the weekend," Arifin said.

He added 60,000 people had left Cicaheum Terminal by bus to go to their hometowns ahead of the Idul Fitri holidays, adding it was difficult to estimate the number of returning passengers.

In Lampung, meanwhile, four people have drowned in the past two days at beaches along the province's coast.

South Jakarta resident Ikhwan, 16, drowned Wednesday afternoon at Queen Beach in Padang Cermin district, Pesawaran regency, 20 kilometers south of the provincial capital Bandarlampung.

His body was recovered at noon on Thursday.

Two others, Misdi, 16, and Kawit, 17, from Sidomulyo district, South Lampung, drowned at Laguna Helau Beach in Kalianda, South Lampung, while Panji, 17, drowned at Tanjung Beringin Beach in Kotaagung district, Tanggamus regency, on Sept. 22.

Oyos Saroso H.N. contributed to this report from Bandarlampung.