SAMPIT - An increase in the flow of homecoming began to occur at Sampit Port, the capital city of East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province and so far, 1,368 passengers have been transported by two ships to the cities of Semarang and Surabaya.
"KM Lawit passengers heading to Semarang today were 612 people. 617 tickets were sold, but some did not leave, maybe from oil palm plantations," said Head of PT Pelni Sampit Branch, Muhammad Jabir at Sampit Port, as reported by Antara, Thursday, April 21.
There were two ships that departed to transport travelers from Sampit Harbor this morning, namely KM Lawit to Semarang with 612 passengers at 06.00 WIB and KM Kirana III belonging to PT Dharma Lautan Utama to Surabaya which carried 756 travelers on 28 motorbikes and 21 family vehicles and 10 logistics vehicles at 07.30 WIB.
Jabir explained, from April 13 to April 21, PT Pelni had dispatched two ships carrying around 1,300 passengers. PT Pelni still has three departures for this year's homecoming season, namely April 22, 26 and 27.
"The departure tickets on 26 and 27 are full, but I'm still trying because the capacity is 920 people. I have coordinated with KSOP Sampit and related agencies. God willing, there will be a slight increase in capacity because we still want to help people who want to go home. leave those who want to go home," said Jabir.
Jabir explained that the ships owned by PT Pelni which are operated at Sampit Port generally have a capacity of 920 passengers. However, if the government gives a 25 percent dispensation like during the homecoming season in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, PT Pelni ships can carry 1,200 to 1,300 passengers.
"We continue to coordinate in the regions while waiting for the dispensation proposal to be approved. God willing. I had a coordination and meeting yesterday. God willing, today or tomorrow there will be an answer. If there is a dispensation, the remaining three departures can carry more than 4,000 passengers," Jabir hoped. Meanwhile, Manager of PT Dharma Lautan Utama Sampit Branch, Hendrik Sugiharto, said that until D-12, his party had dispatched six ships. The number of passengers who have been served to Semarang and Surabaya has reached 4,120 passengers, including passengers from KM Kirana III to Surabaya which carried 756 homecomers this morning.
Hendrik said that the departure from D-15 was a favorite for travelers because workers began to receive holiday allowances (THR). He considered that what needs to be anticipated is the departure from D-10 which is estimated to have a higher spike because travelers are still enthusiastic.
"For the last three departures, all tickets have been sold. For anticipation, we continue to coordinate with relevant agencies that it is necessary to anticipate a spike starting on D-10. We hope that there will be dispensation so that all travelers can be accommodated. Our capacity is 800 passengers. We will adjust it with safety equipment ," said Hendrik Sugiharto.
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