Passengers to Celebrate Idul Fitri Reaches 30 Million

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - Deputy transportation minister, Bambang Susantono, has estimated that the total number of Indonesian people seeking to return to their home towns to celebrate Idul Fitri or the Islamic post-fasting holidays is 30 million. "Of the total, about 20 million people will use public transportation and another 10 million prefer using private vehicles," Bambang said when observing the government preparation to serve the homebound travelers at Tanjung Perak seaport here on Tuesday. According to him, the number of travelers who will use the sea transportation services this year or 1435 H will increase by 5 million. In addition, Bambang said that the nationwide increase in number of travelers through ship this year is around one to three percent compared to that of 2013. The total Indonesian population is about 240 million, with 80 percent of them Muslims. (*)