The New Normal! Record Operational Hours Of Public Transportation In Jabodetabek During Eid

JAKARTA - The Jabodetabek Transportation Management Agency (BPTJ) has imposed operational restrictions on public transportation on the first and second days of Eid Al-Fitr or on May 24 and May 25. These restrictions are carried out in order to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

"On Eid Al-Fitr 1441H, the operation of public transportation in the Jabodetabek area will experience restrictions," said Head of Public Relations of BPTJ Budi Rahardjo in a written statement quoted by VOI on Saturday, May 23.

There are limited public transportation, including commuter lines. During the Eid Al-Fitr, this commuter train will only operate in the morning from 05.00 WIB to 08.00 WIB. Furthermore, the train will resume operating from 16.00 WIB to 18.00 WIB.

"At times outside the operational hours, the station will be closed," said Budi.

Meanwhile for Transjakarta, on the first day of Lebaran, Sunday, May 24, it will only operate from 10.00 WIB to 18.00 WIB. Meanwhile, on the second day of Lebaran, Monday, May 25, it will operate from 05.00 WIB to 19.00 WIB.

"Meanwhile, regular public transportation operating time in Bodetabek (outside DKI Jakarta) remains the same as at the beginning of the implementation of the PSBB, which is from 05.00 WIB to 19.00 WIB," he explained.

The operation of public transportation during Eid, said Budi, is only intended to facilitate activities that are exempted from the implementation of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB). Including the business sector in the fields of health, energy, communications, finance, strategic industries, defense and security.

Meanwhile for the general public, BPTJ appealed not to use public transportation and stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budi also reminded people not to make contact with relatives or local homecoming. This is because these activities have the potential to spread COVID-19.

"The community does not carry out local homecoming activities so in addition to reducing the potential for the spread of Covid-19, it will also have an impact on reducing the use of private transportation on Eid Al-Fitr in Jabodetabek," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo) Johnny G Plate conveyed the government's readiness to support digital friendship on Eid Al-Fitr. This was done as a 'new normal' way after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnny explained, his party has prepared a telecommunication operator network to anticipate the increase in cellular data usage traffic in Indonesia. Where the majority will use a lot of phone calls and video calls during Eid.

As a comparison, under normal conditions, internet traffic during Eid in the previous year has increased by about 10 to 15 percent. However, in the condition of Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB), it is predicted that the increase in internet traffic could reach 30 to 40 percent.

Until now, based on data from operators, there are around 178 mobile BTS deployed to anticipate traffic spikes in emergency conditions of COVID-19, from the total BTS nationally totaling 479,125.

Later, a number of monitoring for the telecommunications network will be determined at strategic points during the PSBB and Eid conditions, namely in residential areas, toll roads, health centers and referral hospitals for COVID-19 services.

"We will also monitor telecommunications networks through the Network Operation Center (NOC) which operates 24 hours, 7 days a week," said Johnny.

It is currently known that Indonesia already has 173,294 existing 4G BTS in Q3 2019, 188,849 3G BTS and 116,982 2G BTS. Or a total of about 479,125 units.

In addition, Kominfo has also measured the Quality of Service (QoS) of voice and data services or cellular internet for cellular operators to ensure that telecommunication services are maintained.