Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohirhas urged residents planning to return to their hometowns during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday to use transportation such as airplanes or trains rather than private vehicles.”Our data shows that a lot (of residents are) still using private transport. We encourage them to use trains or fly as they are comfortable, free of traffic congestion, on time, and the prices, particularly for trains, are more competitive than the fuel cost (of using private vehicles),” Thohir said at the Presidential Staff Office complex here on Monday. The government has estimated that the Eid exodus, which is expected to start on April 18, 2023, and peak on April 21, will be joined by 123.8 million people, up from 85 million travelers last year. “For land transport, particularly private transport, we need to anticipate at various toll roads, such as the Cikopo-Palimanan toll road or (other sections) prone to congestion, as well as roads leading to Central Java,” the minister added. He affirmed that he will monitor transport services during the holiday period to anticipate traffic congestion risks on major roads. “Regarding vehicle fuel stocks, the quota is good. I have personally checked with Pertamina. We will also prepare several facilities, including motorcycles with fuel jerry cans and mobile vehicle fuel-filling installations,” Thohir informed. He also asked travelers moving from Java to Sumatra by land to purchase ferry crossing tickets via online means beforehand. “Crossings at Bakauheni and Merak are congested because passengers are not accustomed to using e-ticketing. The problem might arise when travelers are forcing their way despite not having the e-ticket; we need to anticipate this as well,” the minister said. To anticipate any ferry ticketing issues, the police’s Traffic Corps will conduct random checks at several locations to ensure travelers have their ferry tickets in hand before arriving at Merak Port, he added. “The Transportation Ministry and (port operator) Pelindo will also open new port access, for instance, at Panjang Port that can be the ferry crossing alternative from Sumatra to Java,” he disclosed. Thohir also highlighted the need for segregating private vehicles, logistics trucks, and passenger buses to address congestion issues at ports, especially as the authorities recorded a 157-percent uptick in logistics vehicle movement during last year’s Eid. “We will also anticipate to ensure that private vehicles will not mix with trucks or buses, and this is why we are considering alternative (ports). I will also check the conditions on April 19 and 20 because we cannot turn a blind eye to the 40-million travelers’ surge,” the minister said.
Source: Antara News Agency