Jakarta (ANTARA) - As the long weekend drew closer, the number of train passengers in Indonesia rose by 44 percent to 131,146 on August 19-20 as compared to 91,074 recorded during the corresponding period last week.
Most train passengers travelled to Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and other big cities in Java, Joni Martinus, vice president of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s (KAI's) public relations, remarked here on Friday.
"PT KAI has taken precautionary measures against the increase by adding train trips to cater to the public's high demand during this long weekend," he revealed.
PT KAI operated an average of 260 trains daily on August 19-20 as compared to 215 per day a week earlier.
The number of trains serving long-distance routes reached an average of 88 per day, up 49 percent as compared to 59 per day.
To attract train passengers, KAI also offered a 50-percent cut under the so-called steal deal promotion for four trains serving long-distance routes on August 20-22, he noted.
"The promotion is a form of KAI's appreciation to loyal customers. It is also aimed at attracting more people to use modes of train transportation," he remarked.
The four trains are Wijayakusuma serving the Cilacap - Ketapang route, KA Mutiara Timur serving the Surabaya Gubeng - Ketapang route, KA Singasari serving the Pasar Senen - Blitar route, and KA Pasundan serving Kiaracondong - Surabaya Gubeng route.
The government has declared Friday (Aug 21) a collective leave day in addition to the Islamic New Year on Thursday (Aug 20) to create a four-day weekend.
The long weekend also prompted Jakarta residents to travel to other cities in the country.
State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk recorded a total of 78,114 cars departing from Jakarta via the Cikampek Utama and Kalihurip Utama toll gates before the long weekend.
The number of cars travelling in the easterly direction from Jakarta jumped by 61.8 percent to reach 78,114 on Wednesday, as compared to the normal traffic flow, Head of the Corporate Communication & Community Development Group of PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk Dwimawan Heru noted in a press statement released on Thursday,
Of the total count of vehicles heading out of Jakarta, 42,556 cars exited Jakarta via the Cikampek Utama toll gate and 35,558 cars departed via the Kalihurip Utama toll gate, he remarked.
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