T

he Jakarta Transportation Agency says that more than 7 million residents will leave town for Idul Fitri.

More than 1.2 million people would return to their hometowns on motorcycles, up 13 percent from last year, while 4.2 million would drive, an 18 percent increase, according to the agency.

Governor Fauzi Bowo said holiday travellers would have an easy journey once getting out of Greater Jakarta.

“We expect an increase in the number of holiday travelers. We have anticipated this by providing improved access to those about leave Jakarta,” Fauzi said in an official visit to Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal in South Jakarta.

Fauzi said the greater number of people planning to use private vehicles to return home for the holiday (mudik) indicated that the city’s residents were growing richer.

Bus companies have forecast a decline in holiday passengers given the shift to private vehicles.

The agency estimated that more than 596,000 passengers would travel on intercity buses for this year’s Idul Fitri holiday, down from 608,030 in 2010.

The Jakarta Transportation Council (DKTJ) estimated that 1.3 million people would use private cars and 5.4 million would use motorcycles to return home for Idul Fitri.

DKTJ chairman Azar Tigor Nainggolan said that the government should be concerned at managing the estimated surge in holiday travelers.

“They should avoid making the same mistakes. Last year, the government was very late in providing information about the availability of seats. This prompted holiday travelers to rely on cars and motorbikes,” he said.

According to the Transportation Ministry, around 34,000 buses will be available to serve passengers during the peak travel season.

Separately, the Jakarta Transportation Agency said 6,500 public buses would be available for residents leaving the city for Idul Fitri.

The agency has set up 10 temporary bus shelters to accommodate holiday travelers supplementing the city’s five main bus stations: Pulo Gadung and Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta; Kalideres, West Jakarta and Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

In addition to the temporary stations, the agency said it has improved facilities at seven main railway stations, Tanjung Priok Seaport and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Police said around 18,000 officers would be deployed as part of its annual Ketupat Jaya operation to secure homeward-bound travellers.

Jakarta Police operations chief Sr. Comr. Sujarno said the officers would be deployed between Aug. 23 and Sept. 7, along with Indonesian Military members, public order officers, fire fighters and representatives from the city’s health and transportation agencies.

“The Public Order Agency will deploy 1,500 officers and the Fire Department has prepared 800 fire fighters along with 157 fire engines,” Sujarno said.

The officers and officials would be deployed at 128 hot spots throughout the city including bus terminals, train stations and airports.

“Additional personnel will be dispatched to crime- and accident-prone areas,” he said.

Jakarta Traffic Police chief Sr. Comr. Royke Lumowa called on holiday travelers to travel home by motorcycle.

“Our data shows that in 2009, 68 travellers died in motorcycle accidents. That figure rose in 2010 to 72. We’re concerned that the figure might rise even higher this year,” Royke said.

“We strongly suggest people not to travel by motorcycles because long distance travel on motorcycles is very dangerous,” he said.