TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) recorded a rise in the number of passengers during 2017 homecoming compared to that of last year.

"From 10 days before Eid and two days after, there has been an increase. This year, we transport 341,605 passengers. It was 295,605 passengers last year," PT KAI Operational Region (DAOP) 1 spokesman Suprapto said in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta on Friday, June 23.

Read: E2017 Eid Homecoming: KAI Operational-Region-VI-Adds-7-Trains

In such period of time, Suprapto explained, all railway stations experience an increase. He further said that in Gambir station there are 123,731 passengers, 23 percent higher than last year. Meanwhile in Pasar Senen Station, there are 205,269 homecoming travelers, 11 percent higher than the previous year. "Other stations recorded 12,500 passengers," he added. He said that the increasing number of passengers is due to a great enthusiasm of the people to go back to their hometown to celebrate Eid.

In addition, PT KAI spokesperson Agus Komaruddin stated that during Eid period from June 15 to July 11, PT KAI provides 333 trips using regular trains and 46 trips using extra trains. In details, 228,000 seats are offered daily to homecoming travelers.

"There were 217,000 seats per day last year indicating the overall increase of 4.95 percent compared to last year," he said.

CAESAR AKBAR | TSE