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More than 1,200 ships prepared for Idul Fitri exodus
A total of 1,278 ships will transport millions of people during the annual exodus for the Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, holiday later this month
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Travelers approach Nggapulu passenger ship, which will transport them from Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta to Surabaya, Makassar and other cities in eastern Indonesia.
(Antara/ Hafidz Mubarak A)
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total of 1,278 ships will transport millions of people during the annual exodus for the Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, holiday later this month.
In total, they have the capacity of transporting 3.4 million passengers, higher than the number of people who are estimated to travel by ships, which is about 1.7 million people, Transportation Ministry's sea transportation director general Antonius Tonny Budiono said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Last year, the number of people who traveled to their respective hometowns by ship was slightly above 1.6 million.
(Read also: Jakarta prepares 3,674 buses for Idul Fitri exodus)
The ships will serve 52 different ports across the country, with the largest number of passengers expected to travel from Batam Port in Riau Islands to Belawan Port in North Sumatra, Tonny said.
The ministry will also operate a ship to transport motorcycle and their riders from Jakarta to Semarang for free. The vessel, which has a capacity of 2,500 passengers, will serve Tanjung Priok port and Tanjung Mas port back and forth once every two days from June 17 to July 6.
“The free ship is provided to prevent road accidents involving motorcyclists. It is not only safer, motorcyclists will also enjoy free accommodations,” Tonny said.
The free-ride program was available in 2014 and 2015 but was not offered last year due to lack of interest.
The overall number of travelers in this year’s Lebaran exodus, meanwhile, is estimated to be above 19 million. (dea/bbn)
