Motorcyclists enjoy long haul

Money definitely matters for motorcyclists on the Idul Fitri exodus, but some riders say it is the fun that counts most.

Toto Saputra became one such commuter two years ago after buying a motorcycle. He takes Java’s northeast coastal route (known as Pantura) from Jakarta to his hometown in Purwokerto, Central Java, where his wife and son live.

“I wanted to be able to get home quickly in order to show off a bit of the money I had brought home [to be distributed among family and relatives]. Motorcycles are fast,” Toto, a chauffeur, who lives in Kalimalang, East Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post Wednesday, adding that it took 10 hours to reach Purwokerto by motorcycle.

He said he enjoyed the scenery along the trip. “It’s not merely to save money. Yes, a one-way trip only costs me Rp 50,000 [US$5.50] in gasoline. But I spend a lot of money in my kampong,” he said.

One-way bus fares can cost up to Rp 220,000.

The police have called upon travelers to not ride motorcycles home due to high holiday road death tolls, which reached 417 last year.

Toto mentioned that he always took a bus back to Jakarta after Lebaran, as Idul Fitri is popularly known, having his motorcycle sent back on a truck for about Rp 150,000.

He said it was always fun to ride with friends, and even strangers in a group. However he said that they often split up in a hurry to get home.

Toto said he realized the danger of riding motorcycles in a group on a long-haul trip, especially when bringing children.

Wagiran, who works for a cargo company, and his wife have taken their motorcycle home to Purworejo, Central Java, for the last 10 years.

“We can’t stand the congestion suffered by public buses; and the trains are always packed. It’s more comfortable riding a moto cycle as we can make stops,” he told the Post.

He said that under normal traffic conditions, the trip could take up to 15 hours. “But, approaching Lebaran, it takes 24 hours to reach Purworejo from my house in Pasar Kemis [Tangerang] because I often stop to have something to eat and drink and sleep for an hour or two,” he said.

“The trip to Purworejo is always fun and refreshing since we can stop to admire the scenery,” he nsaid.

He added that he also rode his motorcycle to get back to Jakarta.

But it was often in a hurry because he had no money left for food during the trip after spending it in his hometown. (ipa)