Motorcyclists dominate return traffic

The major Java north coast highway (Pantura) stretch, connecting Central Java, West Java and Jakarta, has been packed by travelers, especially motorcyclists, returning from Central Java to Jakarta two days after Idul Fitri.

Overall, however, the return traffic on Pantura remained smooth as of Friday. Based on field observations, vehicles were still traveling at speeds of between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour.

No traffic jams were detected at markets that were hives of activity before Idul Fitri, such as Sukra, Patrol and Kertasemaya markets in Indramayu regency, and Sandang, Gebang and Losari markets in Cirebon regency.

Despite that, their presence is likely to cause congestion during the peak of the return traffic on Saturday and Sunday, as the holiday comes to an end.

“The return Idul Fitri traffic flow is generally smooth three days after Idul Fitri, including at a number of markets, which are usually prone to congestion,” Indramayu Traffic Police Unit chief, Adj. Comr. Robert Simatupang said.

The number of motorcycles and private cars traveling from Central Java to Jakarta reached 4,000 and 1,000 per hour, respectively, on Friday. The number is considered quite high compared to the previous day, when the number of motorcycles and cars reached 2,000 and 600 per hour.

“The return traffic is dominated by motorcycles and private cars,” Robert said.

According to Robert, the peak of the return traffic will take place on Saturday and Sunday, as the holiday ends. Robert said police had prepared a number of alternative routes to ease congestion.

“When the return traffic increases sharply, we will reroute vehicles to alternative routes, starting from Cirebon,” he said, citing Palimanan-Kadipaten-Tomo-Cikamurang-Subang-Cikampek as alternative routes.

In Lampung, travelers packed the Bakauheni ferry port on Friday.

Based on observations by Antara news agency, thousands of passengers packed the electronic ticket booths at the port from noon.

Those who had obtained tickets immediately climbed the stairs or gangway to board the ferries and depart for Merak Port in Banten.

In Yogyakarta, the number of passengers at Adisucipto International Airport had increased and was expected to reach 12,000 passengers on Friday.

“Today, we expect the number of passengers to reach 12,000 people for departures and arrivals,” Isye Yuviana, spokesperson for state management firm PT Angkasa Pura I, told Antara on Friday.

“The peak of the return flights will take place on Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

Meanwhile, the number of passengers had increased by around 100 percent at the Giwangan bus terminal in Yogyakarta as of Friday, compared to the previous day.

“We have seen a surge in the number of passengers. There is a change in pattern from the homebound travelers this year,” terminal technical unit head, Imanudin Aziz said on Friday.

In Surabaya, East Java, 80 percent of the economy class return train tickets are sold out.