Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Idul Fitri mass exodus season kicks off in Indonesia

Original source: Xinhua News. Picture: Jakarta Globe/Antara

Despite the absence of government's affirmation on the exact day of Idul Fitri festivity this year, the mass public traveling period out of the capital city has commenced on Monday.

Hundreds of people were seen swarming to Indonesia's airports, train stations and bus stations, seeking chances to go out of Jakarta earlier in a more comfortable traveling on the first day of what the government recognized as D+7.

Like in the previous Idul Fitri holiday seasons, the transportation ministry set seven days before and after Idul Fitriin providing particular transportation management for the public who travel to their hometowns in celebrating of the festival.

Involving tens of millions of people, the Idul Fitri's massive exodus in Indonesia is recognized as the largest in Southeast Asia. The government has estimated that more than 27 million travelers would take part in the massive exodus this year.

Most of the executive train and plane tickets were already sold out since the beginning of Ramadan. The remaining tickets were sold at high prices during the period of D+7 up until the Idul Fitri day.

For those who were unable to buy tickets for executive transports, the government provides the economy-class trains that charge extra low ticket fares for its passengers.