Let'€™s go:  A family of four leaves Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, Central Java, after getting off the Dobonsolo ferry on Sunday. The ship took some 2,500 home-bound travelers and 900 motorcycles from Jakarta'€™s Tanjung Priok Port.(JP/Suherdjoko)

Millions of Muslims across the country are ready to celebrate Idul Fitri, the day that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Over the past few days, people from all walk of life many have embarked on their annual mudik (homecoming) travel to enjoy the holiday with friends and families back in their hometowns.

The hype surrounding the homecoming trips could be seen from the long line of vehicles giving West Java'€™s newly opened Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road a try.

Djoko Sasono, director general for land transportation at the Transportation Ministry, said the Cipali toll road was expected to reduce the burden of traffic congestion by 40 percent.

Gearing up for the exodus, Garit Kirana said she might try the new toll road for her trip back home to Surakarta, Central Java, with her family for Idul Fitri.

'€œI saw on the news there had been several accidents on the new toll road. I really have to prepare myself for this year'€™s trip if I eventually decide to take the new road,'€ the 20-year-old university student said.

This year'€™s holiday exodus would be her second time driving home.
'€œIt'€™d be cool if I can drive the whole way to Surakarta on my own,'€ she said, adding that her father might substitute for her whenever she was tired.

The government estimates the number of travelers using private cars and motorcycles along Java'€™s northern coastal highway (Pantura), which is the favored route of travelers during mudik, will reach 4.2 million people this year, up 7.5 percent from last year.

Meanwhile, the number of travelers using public transportation, including via air, sea, road and trains, will reach around 20 million, or 2 percent higher than the 17.4 million people recorded last year.

In Jakarta alone, the city administration estimated that at least 3.7 million people would be leaving the capital for mudik travel, which reached its peak on Wednesday.

Some had left Jakarta on board free transportation provided by 22 state-owned enterprises and a number of private companies.

Despite the extra mile that travelers have to go, celebrating the glorious moment makes it meaningful. Happy Idul Fitri.

'€” JP/Niken Prathivi

Popular

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

Tens of thousands seek better lives in Jakarta. But is the city losing its draw?

Elon Musk's Starlink granted licences to operate in Indonesia