Monday, October 08, 2007
Multa Fidrus and Sobrina Rosli, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Tangerang
With Idul Fitri fast approaching, turnpike operator PT Marga Mandala Sakti is yet to finish repair work on a badly damaged section of the Jakarta-Merak toll road.
The exodus of Idul Fitri holidaymakers is expected to peak a week either side of the holiday, which falls on Oct. 12-13.
Transportation Minister Jusman Syafei Djamal predicted a 10-percent increase in the number of Idul Fitri travelers nationwide this year, from 18 million last year to 20 million this year.
The head of the Banten Transportation Agency, Sholeh M.T., said he sent a letter to the turnpike operator last week asking for the repairs to be completed a week before Idul Fitri.
"Holidaymakers usually leave town a week before Idul Fitri, so the toll road operator should have finished the repairs by then," said Sholeh, who is also the executive coordinator for transportation management in the western part of Java.
Rully Rahmatullah, PT Marga Mandala Sakti's operational manager, said the company had made a concerted effort to meet the deadline.
"Repairs are still underway. We are repairing sections on kilometers 27, 29, 32 and 40 from Jakarta heading to Merak," he said.
Rully said more than 73,000 vehicles used the turnpike during the exodus period last year, with the number expected to increase by up to 10 percent this year.
The turnpike operator will deploy six patrol cars, four highway patrol cars, four ambulances and seven cranes in anticipation of the exodus, and will also set up a health post at kilometer 68.
"We hope the repairs will be completed soon. The peak of the exodus will be on Wednesday when the number of vehicles using the turnpike will reach up to 33,000," he said.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the Idul Fitri exodus, Gambir Railway Station in Central Jakarta has prepared a range of extra services to ensure the safety and comfort of train passengers.
Station head Suyatno said his management team would set up coordinating centers for safety, health, emergencies and public relations before Idul Fitri.
"To ensure safety at the station, we will employ 108 security guards and additional police officers three days before Idul Fitri," he said, adding that there would be security personal on each train.
He also said efforts were being made to prevent scalpers from operating at the station.
"So far we have caught two scalpers and we rewarded the captors with Rp 500,000 each," he said, explaining that rewards would be offered to anyone providing proof of scalping activities.
State-owned railway company PT Kereta Api has scheduled extra services to depart from Gambir between Oct. 8 and 12. The extra services will include three Argo Lawu trains departing for Solo, a Gumarang train departing for Surabaya, a Gajayana train departing for Malang and a Purwojaya train departing for Purwokerto.
From Oct. 8 to 10, the operating hours of the station's ticket booths will be extended. Ticket sales will be available from 7 a.m. until midnight.
It is estimated more than 41,000 passengers will depart from Gambir in the week leading up to Idul Fitri.
The number of travelers is expected to peak at 8,600 two days before Idul Fitri. (11)
Sobrina Rosli is a journalist with The Brunei Times who is currently working at The Jakarta Post as an intern.
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