Almost 1m Opt for Ferry Travel Across Sunda Strait This Holiday Season
Jakarta. Passengers and vehicles ferrying across the Sunda Strait during the holidays has jumped 15 percent from the holiday period last year, stretching the capacity of the link between Java and Sumatra, state-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry said on Thursday (07/07).
Almost 896,000 people crossed the strait from Java between June 15 and July 5 — the day before Idul Fitri — up 15 percent from the 778,000 which crosses last year. Vehicles increased by 14 percent to more than 192,000 during the period ASDP data showed.
The holiday, following the Islamic calendar based on the moon rather then the sun-based Gregorian calendar, falls on a different date each year.
Traffic peaked last Friday resulting in long queues of cars, buses and motorcycles for over a day in Merak Port, Banten.
"There are still many shortcomings in our service. That will be corrections so we will improve next year," ASDP president director Danang S Baskoro said in a statement.
On the brighter side, the ferry operator experienced no accidents or other hiccups during the day, Danang said.
He added the operator will improve coordination with road traffic control and the police to better manage the return flow leaving Sumatra.
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