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Govt calls on travelers not to use motorcycles for Idul Fitri exodus
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Idul Fitri holidaymakers throng a road along the northern Java coast in Tegal, Central Java, during the seasonal exodus last year. (ANTARA FOTO/Oky Lukmansyah)
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ransportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has called on people not to use motorcycles to return to their hometowns during the Idul Fitri exodus, which was expected to start on Monday.
“The Transportation Ministry has facilitated citizens with free Idul Fitri trips by train, ship and bus to reduce the number of motorcycles used during the homecoming season,” he said on Sunday.
While calling on people not to use motorcycles, the government will nonetheless anticipate a large number of motorcycle riders by cooperating with several stakeholders in providing health facilities, safety and strategies for reducing congestion.
State-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Ferry Indonesia president director Faik Fahmi said his company would accommodate the motorcycle riders by creating clusters in Merak Port, Banten. “The sixth dock will be allocated only for motorcycles,” he said.
National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas) chief Insp. Gen. Royke Lumowa said motorcyclists accounted for up to 70 percent of traffic accidents during the homecoming season last year. “The police with state-owned insurance company Jasa Raharja have prepared 30 checkpoints for motorcycle users [to take a rest],” he said.
The number of motorcycle users during the 2017 homecoming season is predicted to surge to 6 million, an increase from about 3.7 million in 2015. (rdi/ags)
