Minister Of Transportation Video Conference To All Bus Terminal Managers: 47 Percent Of The 85.5 Million People Going Home By Land

Illustration of the 2022 Eid homecoming route. (Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed the feasibility of the bus fleet and the health of the drivers ahead of the 2022 Eid homecoming by inspecting the Type A Terminal of Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta, Sunday, April 17.

The Minister of Transportation emphasized that apart from the health aspect, the safety aspect must be the main concern. "I ask that the bus fleet has been ramp checked and the driver's health has also been checked. Both must be healthy," said Budi Karya, quoted from Antara, Sunday, April 17.

During his inspection, the Minister of Transportation held a video conference with the managers of Type A Terminals throughout Indonesia and the bus operators/companies.

He said, based on the results of the Balitbanghub survey, the land sector was the most crucial to be handled. Of the total predictions of 85.5 million people who will travel during the homecoming period, 47 percent of them will use land routes, both private vehicles (cars and motorbikes) or buses.

It is estimated that there are around 14.3 million homecomers departing from Jabodetabek and the number of homecomers has increased by about 45 percent compared to 2019 before the pandemic.

"With intensive and responsible coordination, God willing, we can prepare for this year's homecoming well," he said.

Furthermore, the Minister of Transportation revealed, with the high public interest in going home, he appealed to the public to travel earlier to avoid overcrowding on the peak day of going home.

"Make the trip earlier around April 25-27 2022 and avoid leaving on April 28-29 2022 which is predicted to be the peak of going home. This is done so that the movement is more spread out and reduces the density on one particular day," he said.

The Minister of Transportation also appealed to the public not to travel long distances using motorbikes, because it is very dangerous for safety. He asked the public to take advantage of the free homecoming program organized by the government, state-owned enterprises and the private sector.

On the same occasion, the Head of the DKI Provincial Transportation Service, Syafrin Liputo, said that his party had prepared seven terminals in Jakarta during the Eid homecoming period in 2022.

The terminals are four main terminals (Kampung Rambutan, Pulo Gebang, Kalideres, Tanjung Priok) and three additional terminals (Lebak Bulus, Grogol, and Muara Angke).

He explained, since April 5, 2022, he has carried out a ramp check on the bus fleet, both at bus terminals and at the bus pool. In addition, an examination of the health of the bus crew has also been carried out.

"To anticipate the surge in travelers, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has also prepared a free homecoming program, as many as 492 buses and 31 trucks to transport motorbikes," he said.

For information, this year the Ministry of Transportation has also prepared 700 buses that will transport homecomers about 21,000 passengers from Jakarta to 24 destinations in West Java, Central Java and East Java.

In addition, the Ministry of Transportation has prepared 70 trucks that will transport as many as 2,200 homecoming motorbikes.

In addition to ensuring the facilities and infrastructure at the Kampung Rambutan Terminal, the Minister of Transportation also witnessed a booster vaccination activity for 150 drivers and the public as well as witnessed the ramp check activity of a number of buses at the terminal.

Accompanying the Minister of Transportation during the inspection of the Kampung Rambutan Terminal were the Director General of Land Transportation Budi Setiyadi, President Director Damri Setia N. Milatia Moemin, Jasa Raharja President Director Rivan Achmad Purwantono, and a number of related officials.