Millions join the annual exodus

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Bon voyage! : A family bids farewell to a relative on board the KM Kelud at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. Their relative is one of millions of people returning to their towns and villages to celebrate Idul Fitri. JP/Ricky Yudhistira

For more than one week now, millions of people have been on the road. They have only one aim: just to reach their hometowns or villages before Idul Fitri, the biggest festival of the year for Muslims.

It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicles they use, how crowded it is, how much they pay to sneak into a bus, ship, train, plane or even a bajaj. Due to the long holidays, this year more than 16 million people are joining Idul Fitri exodus.

Some people will lose their lives in tragic accidents but the journey must go on. Idul Fitri must be celebrated with loved ones.

So far, it seems this year’s exodus has gone relatively smoothly compared to previous years, thanks to long holidays and the government’s efforts to improve the situation.

— JP/Veeramalla Anjaiah

Riding home: A man carrying his daughter forces his way into Pasar Senen railway station. This year, state railway company PT KAI introduced a new system. JP/P.J. Leo

Swarming home: Hundreds of people on motorbikes disembark KRI Banda Aceh in Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, on Friday. The passengers, traveling from Jakarta to Semarang. Antara/R. Rekotomo

Taking a taxi home: A three-wheeler taxi locally called bajaj joins the massive Idul Fitri exodus. The passengers were traveling from Jakarta to Indramayu. Bajaj usually operate within Jakarta city limits. JP/P.J. Leo