REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Director General of Sea Transportation Bobby M. Mamahit saw off thousands of travelers heading to their hometowns for Eid using a free 'mudik' (travel) program, at Tanjung Priok Port on Wednesday.

"This is the last batch of passengers of the free mudik program of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation. Eid travelers who want to travel free of charge use this ship service," Mamahit said here on Wednesday.

The director general saw off the passengers of KM Dobonsolo ship, which transported 2,355 people and 1,220 motor vehicles from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port to Semarang's Tanjung Mas Port.

He added that the number of passengers aboard the vessel was still far from its maximum capacity of 3,000.

Despite the service being offered for free, only a small number of passengers opted for it due to the lack of publicity among the people, Mamahit pointed out. "The program should have been announced much earlier so it could gain popularity among the public."

The fixed date of departure of ships of the free mudik program was also one of the factors travelers took into consideration.

"Most of the Eid travelers registered for a round trip. As compared to that for the same program last year, fewer number of people signed up for the free mudik program this year," he remarked.

Furthermore, the director general noted that the reverse flow of travelers was expected to take place from July 23 to 27.

He affirmed that his office will improve any shortcomings encountered during their homebound journeys so that travelers do not face the same issues on their trips back to Jakarta.

KM Dobonsolo is one of the ships being operated by state-owned shipping line PT Pelni to serve Eid travelers in the free mudik program.

The ship, which left Tanjung Priok at 4:00 p.m., can sail at a speed of 17 knots and can cover the Jakarta-Semarang route in 14 hours.

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