Transportation Minister: “Mudik” Ban Policy Reduces Passengers by Almost 90%

INDUSTRY.co.id - The Government’s policy to ban mudik (annual exodus during Eid al-Fitr period) has significantly reduced the number of passengers at Pasar Senen Railway Station and Pulogebang Bus Station by almost 90%, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi has said.

“We want to ensure that the Government’s policy to ban mudik is implemented properly. The mudik ban policy applies from 6 May to 17 May 2021, but several transportation services serving people for non-mudik purposes are exempted from the ban,” the Minister said on Saturday (08/05).

For the record, Regulation of Minister of Transportation Number 13 of 2021 stipulates that transportation services for specific situation, including business travel, having an ill family member, death of a family member, pregnant woman, childbirth, emergency health services and other non-mudik purposes, are exempted from the mudik ban policy.

The data shows that, as of Saturday (08/05), the number of passengers at Pasar Senen Railway Station has decreased by almost 90 percent compared to that of normal days.

“Pasar Senen Railway Station, which normally serves 30,000 passengers, is currently serving 3,000 passengers. It means that the decrease is almost 90 percent,” Budi said, adding that the same decrease rate was also reported at Pulogebang Bus Station.

The Minister has also ordered related stakeholders to ensure that the departing passengers are those who meet the exemption requirements.

On that occasion, Budi expressed his appreciation to the people who had decided not to do mudik in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He also praised all personnel who had worked very hard to oversee the implementation of the mudik ban.