Return traffic peaks on Sunday, official says

JAKARTA. A Jakarta Transportation Agency official says Idul Fitri vacationers returning to Jakarta will reach a peak on Sunday, later than previously expected, which was Friday.

Syafrin Liputo, head of the agency's control and operations, said his agency had reassessed its forecast because there were obstacles along several routes, especially in Central Java and East Java, that had created delays in bus arrivals at Jakarta’s terminals.

“One of the obstacles is damage to Comal Bridge in Pemalang, Central Java,” Syafrin said as quoted by tempo.co.

Comal Bridge was recently repaired after its foundations were eroded by currents in the river it spans.

Syafrin said a bus from Blitar, East Java, had arrived at Pulo Gadung bus terminal in East Jakarta at 11 p.m. on Saturday, while its scheduled arrival was at 4 a.m. Saturday.

“The delay in bus arrivals from the eastern parts of Java to Jakarta can be up to 20 hours. Meanwhile, buses returning from the western parts, such as West Java and Sumatra, have arrived on schedule,” he said.

Many other vacationers returned to the capital early to avoid severe traffic jams.

According to the agency’s data, 16,912 buses carrying a total of 179,595 passengers arrived at various terminals in Jakarta from July 30 to Aug. 1, or three days after Idul Fitri.

Meanwhile, 2,146 buses carrying 39,322 passengers arrived on Aug. 1. (gda)