Govt Restricts Train Operations During Eid Homecoming Season

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government decided to restrict long-distance and local trains from operating during the Eid homecoming season on May 6-17, 2021. This is stipulated in the Transportation Ministerial Regulation No. 13 of 2021 on transportation control during Eid Al-Fitr 1442 Hijri holiday to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

“The prohibition on the use of rail transports applies to inter-city and urban railways trips. Operators are implementing rules for the cancellation of inter-city train trips,” said Director of Traffic and Railway Transportation of the Transportation Ministry, Danto Restyawan, in an online press conference on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) will only operate extraordinary train services for people who have travel permits, such as state civil servants or ASN, state or private employees, National Police, Indonesian Military personnel, and private employees who have official works.

Other groups allowed to travel are those who have to visit sick families or pay a visit to relatives who died. Pregnant women are also permitted with one companion. The permit will also be given to women who are going to give birth with two companions and people who need emergency health services.

Despite the restriction, the Transportation Ministry still allows four agglomeration routes to serve passengers. They are Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi including Cikarang-Rangkas; Padalarang-Bandung-Cicalengka; Kutoarjo-Yogyakarta-Solo; and Lamongan-Surabaya-Sidoarjo-Bangil-Pasuruan-Mojokerto-Gresik.

The Transportation Ministry will later regulate the limitation and reduction of train operating hours. Apart from the four routes, the ban on the railway operation is also exempted for inter-city trains for the transportation of logistics.

Read: Eid Homecoming Ban; Police List People Allowed to Travel

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA