Central Java Is Predicted As The Province With The Most Homecomers This Year, 21.3 Million People

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JAKARTA - The government has abolished the ban on going home this year, but on the condition that prospective travelers must receive a third COVID-19 vaccine injection or booster. The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) predicts that Central Java will be the province most visited by travelers this year.

Director General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) Budi Setiyadi said, there will be 21.3 million people who will return to Central Java during this year's homecoming period.

"From the research results of the Transportation Research and Development Agency, the largest destination area is Central Java by 26.8 percent or 21.3 million people who will come from various provinces, especially from East Java and Jabodetabek," he said in a written statement, quoted on Sunday, 27 March.

Budi said, from the results of the research, data was also obtained in addition to Central Java, the next largest potential for community movement was to East Java and West Java.

The survey on the potential for community movement during the 2022 Lebaran Transportation was carried out from 9 to 21 March after the travel requirements with antigen/PCR tests were abolished.

According to Budi, the use of transportation modes used for going home has shifted slightly, although the use of private transportation remains the most. However, the choice of using airplanes is more than using trains compared to the results in the previous survey.

As for the details, private car users are predicted to be 26 percent or 21 million and motorcycles 18 percent or 14 million to dominate homecoming trips. Then followed by 16 percent or 12 million buses and 12 percent or 9 million planes.

Therefore, Budi appealed to all parties involved in this year's Lebaran Transportation to maximize their performance well.

"We don't want many people who want to go home and are hampered. We can't do it with normal preparations, we have to be well prepared," he said.

Budi also said that it is estimated that the peak of the homecoming flow will occur on April 28 and the potential for travel will increase on April 30. While the peak of the backflow is expected to occur on May 8.

Furthermore, Budi said there might be restrictions on the transportation of goods vehicles during the Lebaran homecoming period. However, it is still in the discussion stage.

"What will be limited are freight cars with a Permitted Weight Amount (JBI) of more than 14,000 kilograms, freight cars with 3 or more axes, patch trains, and trailers," he said.