Yudhoyono had monitored the Senen Railway Station`s services for the public on Thursday evening to assure the smoothness of transportation for post-fasting Idul Fitri or Lebaran travelers.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bamanbang Yudhoyono has urged transportation operators to provide maximal services for post-fasting Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, travelers.

"I have asked operators, including railway station and port administrators, when this evening I inspected sea, air, and land transportations, to optimize services and give priority to security," President Yudhoyono said after monitoring the Senen Railway Station here on Thursday.

He said that he had seriously emphasized to the operators the importance of prioritizing security and safety factors, so the public will be safe in conducting their journeys.

"We have been increasing our services every year, and the passengers have also continued to increase. We take every effort to guarantee travelers safety until they arrive at their destinations," he pointed out.

He had assured the readiness of the government to provide services for those who wished to visit their home towns to celebrate the Idul Fitri festivities and to have family or friendly reunions.

Yudhoyono had monitored the Senen Railway Stations services for the public on Thursday evening to assure the smoothness of transportation for post-fasting Idul Fitri or Lebaran travelers.

The president arrived at the Senen Railway Station at 3.45 pm and was welcomed by Ignasius Jonan, president director of state-owned PT Kreta Api Indonesia (KAI).

Ignasius explained to the president about the Lebaran transportation services by the PT Kreta Api Indonesia.

After being briefed, the president--who was accompanied by Vice President Boediono and a number of ministers such as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Djoko Suyanto, Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan, Cabinet Minister Dipo Alam, and a number of other state officials--personally observed the process of PT Kareta Api Indonesias services to the public.

Director General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Suroyo Alimoeso, had predicted that during this years Idul Fitri holidays the number of homebound travelers, excluding those traveling in their own vehicles, will increase by about 3.83 percent to 19.30 million over 2013, which saw 18.59 million travelers.

Taken together with those using private vehicles, totaling 4.16 million, the number of Idul Fitri travelers this year will account for about 24 million.

According to the director general, 5.59 million passengers were expected to use land transportation services, including 4.49 million traveling by trains, 4.10 million traveling by airplanes, 3.54 million opting for inland waterway transportation (ASDP) services, and 1.57 million traveling by ships.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014