Cilegon, Banten (ANTARA) - It took Eid exodus travelers driving by car from Jakarta, Bekasi, and South Tangerang about 10–11 hours to reach Merak Port, Cilegon, Banten province, on Saturday.
Agus Salim, a resident of Bantargebang, Bekasi, said that he and his family reached Merak Port around 11:30 a.m. local time.
"Even though we left on Friday (April 29, 2022) at 7 p.m. local time," he told ANTARA at Merak Port on Saturday.
Salim, who was about to return to Palembang, said he was surprised by the time taken to reach Merak. According to him, the travel time during the pre-pandemic homecoming season was not so long.
"However, yes, just enjoy it. Maybe this is because there was no homecoming for two years," he remarked.
Eko, a traveler from Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, was also surprised by the amount of time he and his family spent on the road to reach the port.
Eko and his family arrived at Merak Port at 10 a.m. on Saturday even though they had left home around 7:45 p.m. on Friday (April 29).
"It has never been like this before. Hopefully, it will be a lesson for the future," he said.
Meanwhile, Sony, a resident of Pamulang, South Jakarta, pulled into the queue at Merak Port at 11:30 a.m. despite starting from his residence at 9 p.m. on Friday.
"Maybe this is already a risk because there are very many people who are going home simultaneously," Sony, who is planning to visit Lampung, remarked.
Based on ANTARA's conversations with several car travelers at Merak Port, travelers started to face traffic slowdowns upon entering the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road.
While entering the Cikupa Toll Gate, Tangerang, many travelers were directed by the police to exit from the toll gates of West Cilegon, East Cilegon, West Serang, or East Serang to reduce the traffic flowing through the Merak Toll Gate.
