D-11 Lebaran 2023, Homecomers Start Crowding The NTB Mandalika Terminal

JAKARTA - Homecomers began crowding the Mandalika Terminal in Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on D-11 Idulfitri 1414 Hijri or April 11.

Head of Mandalika Terminal, Marthen Tanone admitted that the density of passengers on the homecoming flow had occurred before D-7 Lebaran 2023.

"The surge in passengers has started yesterday," he said after attending a meeting to prepare for Eid transportation at the NTB Transportation Service Office in Mataram, NTB, Tuesday, April 11, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said the surge in passengers reached 20 percent of the usual day. In fact, ticket prices have also increased

"On average, on weekdays, there are 600 passengers per day, yesterday there were 840 people," said Marthen.

The number of fleets served at Mandalika Terminal in Lebaran 2023 is 124 units. Consisting of 39 AKAP buses and 85 AKDP buses.

"To anticipate the surge in passengers, we have asked the bus auto company to prepare spare buses for both the AKDP and AKAP routes. But with 124 units, we think that is enough," he said.

Marthen predicts the number of travelers who will depart through the largest terminal in NTB will begin to occur on D-5 or April 17 to 19, 2023.

"If you look at last year's conditions, there were up to 5,000 passengers. It is likely that this year there will be more because there are no restrictions. Last year there were still COVID-19 restrictions," explained Marthen.

Especially for checking vehicle feasibility in the context of going home, his party has been doing a "ramp check" since one month ago.

"In fact, every departure we go "ramp checks". Later on D-7 we will also prepare health posts for drivers and conductors," he said.

This health post is provided free of charge. Later the drivers will undergo a number of examinations starting from drug tests and body health.

"Later, on April 17th, it will be activated. The contents are complete, there are BNN, Health Service, Police, transportation and raharja services. Later all of that will be checked before leaving. Start checking vehicles and drivers and conductors," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding bus fares, Marthen emphasized that the increase in bus rates had gone through an agreement between the regional government, Organda and bus auto companies.

"If there is an increase in tariffs, there has been an increase. This tariff increase is still in the agreement space between the government, Organda and transportation companies. An example is to go to Bima from Rp250 to Rp300 thousand," he said.

However, his party will take action if there is a bus auto company that increases the tariff beyond reasonable limits.

"We will check in the field whether someone has exceeded or not. If someone exceeds Rp. 300 thousand, we try to order it," he said.