State-run ferry operator PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (PT Pelni) has estimated a 40-percent year-on-year (yoy) increase in the number of ferry passengers departing from Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, during the year-end holiday period.

“Our prediction is that this year’s increase is 40 percent compared to (the same period) of last year. Last year, we transported around 4,500 passengers; this year, (their number) is predicted to increase to 6,500,” PT Pelni Tanjung Priok branch head Nuraini Desi informed here on Friday.

As per PT Pelni’s estimate, the number of ferry passengers will reach 6,500 between December 18, 2022, and January 8, 2023. To deal with the increasing number of passengers going home and returning this season, PT Pelni launched ticket sales a month ago.

“Our preparation is selling tickets long before the day, since a month before,” Desi said.

In addition, it has prepared 18 motor ferries (KMs) for the period, with 4 of them—KM Nggapulu, KM Bukit Raya, KM Lawit, and KM Ciremai—setting sail on Friday with a total of 4,360 passengers.

The peak rush of passengers traveling through Tanjung Priok was seen on Friday, Desi informed.

Meanwhile, KM Dorolonda was the first ship to leave the port at 10 a.m. on Friday with 1,324 passengers.

KM Dorolonda will dock at several destination ports, including Surabaya, Makassar, Bau Bau, Namlea, Ambon, and Ternate, before finally ending the trip at Bitung.

In addition, KM Gunung Dempo and KM Kelud were set to leave at 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. local time, respectively, on Friday night.

KM Gunung Dempo will travel to Surabaya, Makassar, Sorong, Manokwari, Wasior, Nabire, and Jayapura. Meanwhile, KM Kelud will sail to Batam, Tanjung Balai Karimun, and Belawan.

PT Pelni is implementing strict health protocols during the Christmas and New Year period, with passengers required to get a booster COVID-19 shot to board ships, Desi said.

Source: Antara News