Avoid The COVID-19 Test Requirements, Passengers Choose To Stop The Bus Outside The Pulogebang Terminal

ILLUSTRATION / Pulogebang Terminal (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - A number of bus passengers heading outside Jakarta at the Pulogebang Integrated Terminal, East Jakarta, chose to depart from outside the terminal environment. They stopped the bus outside to escape the travel requirements of medical documents.

"Taking the intercity inter-provincial bus (AKAP) is more difficult now. We want medical tests not ready yet. Indeed, everything is there (the terminal), but there is an additional cost," said one passenger, Arman (45), quoted by Antara, Tuesday , 22 December.

The passenger heading for West Sumatra chose to stop the bus outside the Pulogebang Terminal, to be precise around Jalan Sentra Primer, which the bus runs towards the toll road.

Several other passengers who waited for the bus to pass along the side of the road were similar.

This situation has reduced the number of passengers in the Pulogebang Terminal environment, especially ahead of Christmas 2020 and New Year 2021.

Meanwhile, Pulogebang Terminal Team Commander, Anwar Mansyur, said the requirements for passengers to show a health certificate from a doctor refer to the Circular of the Directorate General of Land Transportation Number 11 of 2020.

"At least they have a health letter from a doctor. Because there is a requirement, the terminal situation becomes more gentle than usual because passengers prefer to depart from outside the terminal environment rather than at the terminal that requires this provision," he said.

As of Tuesday, December 22 at noon Pulogebang Terminal has dispatched a total of 147 passengers using 27 bus fleets or a decrease of more than half from the previous day.

"The average passenger destinations are Central Java, East Java and Sumatra, but yes, it's reduced, not as usual," he said.

Each passenger, said Anwar, underwent an examination of travel documents starting from tickets to medical documents from doctors which were valid for a maximum of 3x24 hours.

Anwar said that until now, terminal operators still provide dispensation for passengers who do not include a doctor's certificate while traveling.

"Currently we are still referring to the Circular Letter of the Director General of Land Transportation Nomo 11 of 2020, so there has been no firm action yet, at most it is limited to appealing and reminding," he said.

Kasatpol Pulogebang Terminal Operations Afif M, who was confirmed regarding the amount of additional costs for the COVID-19 rapid test for passengers, stated that the health test activities facilitated by the Ministry of Transportation are free.

"Donations from the Ministry of Transportation are free," he said.