JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Unlike last year, more people are expected to travel during the year-end holidays following the Indonesian government’s decision to continue to ease travel restrictions.
Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed that the government will not restrict the community mobility during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“This [policy] will cause an increase in the number of passengers. We still need to ensure people’s safety, comfort, and health,” Budi said during a meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission V in Jakarta on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
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The minister said this year’s community mobility will be different from the previous Christmas and New Year holidays. Last year the government still carried out travel restrictions due to the spike of Covid-19 infections fueled by omicron variant.
“But, we will not limit the community mobility in 2022 and 2023,” he added.
Therefore, the Ministry of Transportation will ensure the preparedness of transportation facilities and infrastructure during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
According to a survey conducted by the ministry’s transportation policy agency (BKT), the people’s mobility during the holidays could reach 16.35 percent of the total population, or 44.17 million people.
The mobility will be dominated by private vehicles, at around 28.26 percent, and motorbikes at 16.47 percent. Meanwhile, land transportation will be used for about 67.97 percent.
(Writer: Nicholas Ryan Aditya | Editor: Icha Rastika)
