KALIPURO – Dua hari jelang liburan Idul Adha 1433 H, Passengers on ferry boats in the Bali Strait have increased dramatically. The increase in passengers occurred from the direction of Gilimanuk Port, Bali, to Ketapang Harbor, Banyuwangi.
The increase in the number of ferry passengers occurred last night (23/10). Last Tuesday night, thousands of passengers from Bali invaded Ketapang Port. “Passengers increased by approx 9,7 percent of normal days,said the Head of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (IF) Ketapang, Beware Heruwanto, through the Operations Manager, Saharuddin Koto The increase in passengers this time was dominated by two-wheeled vehicles (R2).
From morning to evening yesterday (24/10), thousands of passengers continue to arrive. On normal days, the number of vehicles crossing the range 1.500 until 1.700 unit. But, before the holiday of sacrifice, crossing vehicles reach 2.000 until 2.500 unit.
Most of the passengers crossing were Javanese citizens working in Bali. "They came back to celebrate Eid in their hometown,Saharuddin explained. Passengers from Ketapang also experienced an increase. However, the increase in passengers from Java to Bali was not as big as that from Gilimanuk.
Passengers from Ketapang are dominated by four-wheeled vehicles (R4). On average they are the general public who want to spend a long weekend (long weekend getaway) in Bali. The increase in passengers from the direction of Ketapang is influenced by Eid al-Adha which is close to the weekend holiday.
Many residents take advantage of the long holiday to tour the Island of the Gods. At the moment, PT IF Ketapang operates 30 fleet. All day to marin, the weather in the Bali Strait is friendly enough to support the smooth sailing of crossing activities. “The weather is favorable, but we still ask the skipper to be alert to the threat of bad weather,Saharuddin said. (radar)