Jakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation MinisterBudi Karya Sumadisaid the Jakarta-Semarang Toll Road and Merak-Bakauheni Portare two areas that require extra attention from the ministryto improve the Eid exodus dynamics in 2024."Of course, this is a good thing (the management of the Eid exodus dynamics), but that alone is not enough. We will improve all its shortcomings; so, when the time comes for Eid exodus next year, there will be no significant issues," he said. Speakingat a hearingsession with lawmakers here Wednesday to evaluate surrounding Eid transportation and infrastructures in 2023, he saidthat on toll roads, there are plenty of issues. Two spots which struggle the most are Jakarta-Semarang Toll Road, as well as ASDP (state ferry company). "We can resolve them well," he added. He advised that more lanes be added to Jakarta-Semarang Toll Road to make it a three-lane road. The evaluation also covered issues linked to traffic flow in Puncak area, Bogor, West Java, he disclosed. "The (issue about traffic in) Puncak, we have yet to resolve it. Hence, we have to collaborate with the regional government to find ways, solutions, to improve transportation to Puncak," Sumadi said. ccording to the ministry's records, 17.33 million people used public transportation during the exodus. The figure reflected an increase of 15.28 from 15.03 million in 2022. The minister said that the ministry also recorded a huge increase in the number of land, sea, air, as well as train passengers. The figure shows an improvement in the number of Eid exodus passengers, after a decline due to COVID-19, according to Statistic Indonesia's data, Sumadi observed. Many free transportation programs initiated by the ministry also resulted in a lower accident rate during the 2023 Eid exodus, he added. The success in managing the 2023 Eid exodus was the result of good collaboration among all stakeholders, as well as the directives and reminders from President Joko Widodo, Sumadi said.

Source: Antara News Agency