470 Homecomers Return To Jakarta By Warship From Semarang

A total of 470 travelers and 116 motorbikes returned to Jakarta on the backflow or flow of Eid Al-Fitr 2024 by Warship of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) Banda Aceh from Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, Sunday.

The warship with hull number 593 previously departed from Surabaya carrying 329 travelers and 58 motorbikes.

"From Semarang to Jakarta there are 470 people, for motorcycles there are 116. The total is 799 people and 174 motorbikes," said the Commander of the Semarang Navy Base (Danlanal) Marine Colonel (E) Joko Andriyanto.

The figure who is familiarly called Andri took the time to check the ship and greet the travelers on the ship before releasing the departure of KRI Banda Aceh to Jakarta.

According to him, the travelers admitted that they were comfortable and safe while participating in the homecoming program and returned for free on Lebaran 1445 Hijri which was held by the Indonesian Navy.

He said the KRI Banda Aceh 593 has a capacity of up to 1,000 people, but in the 2024 Lebaran reverse flow the number of passengers transported is only 799 people.

"During yesterday's homecoming, there were far more (homecomers, ed.), but the return (during the backflow, ed) may be because they want to stay in their hometowns for a long time is also a factor of a little less," he said.

Andri said that the Indonesian Navy provided free homecoming this third year using warships, in an effort to reduce the fatality of road travelers.

"Hope from the community, in the future, so that the Indonesian Navy will continue to hold homecoming on the KRI if necessary, the route will be increased," he said.

Therefore, said Andri, his party will convey and coordinate with the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali regarding the hopes of the travelers.

Previously, KRI Banda Aceh had docked at Tanjung Mas Port, Semarang, last Saturday (6/4), carrying 1,026 people and 276 motorbikes from Jakarta on the flow of Eid homecoming.

696 travelers from Jakarta who disembarked in Semarang and 155 motorbikes, while 38 travelers departing from Semarang came from Surabaya and 12 motorbikes.

Meanwhile, one of the travelers, Bambang (46) admitted that going home using a ship is more comfortable than using a motorbike, let alone free of charge.

Therefore, he chose to take part in the homecoming using the warship by inviting his family and bringing his motorbike to be used for Eid in his hometown.

"It's comfortable to ride a boat, it doesn't get hot and it rains. Vehicles can also be taken on (to the ship, ed.) for a walk to relatives in the village," he said.