Ahead Of The 2022 Eid Al-Fitr Homecoming, Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya: Drivers And Buses Must Be Healthy

Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi asked the managers of Type A Terminals throughout Indonesia and the operators or auto bus companies to ensure the feasibility of the operating bus fleet and the health of bus drivers, ahead of the Eid homecoming period in 2022.

This was conveyed via video conference during an inspection of the Type A Terminal of Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta, Sunday, April 17.

Budi emphasized that apart from the health aspect, the safety aspect must be the main concern in facing the 2022 Lebaran homecoming period. It is predicted that there will be a surge in passengers, considering that homecoming has been abolished for 2 years.

"I ask that the bus fleet has been ramp checked and the drivers have their health checked. Both must be healthy," he said, in Jakarta, Monday, April 18.

Based on the results of the Balitbanghub survey, said Budi, the land sector is 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, whether private vehicles, cars, motorbikes or buses.

It is estimated, continued Budi, that about 14.3 million homecomers departing from Jabodetabek and the number of homecomers 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.

Suggest people go home early

With the high public interest for going home, Budi suggested that people 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 congestion on one particular day," he said.

In addition, Budi also appealed to the public not to travel long distances using motorbikes, because it is very dangerous for safety.

"The public can take advantage of the free homecoming program organized by the government, BUMN and the private sector," he said.

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

According to him, 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 has also been carried out on the health of the bus crew," he said.

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

For your information, this year the Ministry of Transportation has also prepared 700 buses that will transport around 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 2200 homecoming motorbikes.