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Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi (right) during his working visit to review transportation infrastructure and ensure transportation connectivity during the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia or MotoGP series in Mandalika on Friday, March 18, 2022. (ANTARA/HO-Transportation Ministry/rst) - 

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi affirmed that the number of passengers headed to watch the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia or MotoGP series in Mandalika is estimated to peak from Friday to March 20.

Sumadi made the statement during his working visit to Mandalika to check the transportation facilities and infrastructure as well as to ensure transportation connectivity to and from Mandalika.

"President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed us to seriously prepare this MotoGP series in Mandalika. We ensure that the movement to and from Lombok and Mandalika as well as the movement of traffic around the circuit area will run smoothly," Sadikin noted on Friday.

During his visit, he reviewed several facilities, including at the Lombok International Airport, the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit area, Gili Mas Harbor, and the KM Kelud Ship that is serving as a floating accommodation for MotoGP spectators.

Sumadi also held a coordination meeting with the Mandalika MotoGP Field Commander Hadi Tjahjanto and reviewed the command center at the circuit area.

The minister estimates around 100 flights at the peak of the passenger surge.

"In addition, Lombok Airport, Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Juanda Airport, Ngurah Rai Airport, and Hasanuddin Airport will prepare to anticipate the surge in passengers," he stated.

Sumadi also remarked that state-run ferry operator, PT Pelni, had readied alternative accommodation for MotoGP spectators, who were unable to get a hotel to stay in Mandalika.

The place is provided free of charge for those who have tickets to watch MotoGP. The KM Kelud ship has a total capacity of 1,500 rooms and is ready to be used by MotoGP spectators on March 17-21, 2022.

Based on information from PT Pelni, up until this afternoon, 353 spectators had placed orders to stay at KM Kelud.

To stay at KM Kelud, MotoGP spectators are required to show their ticket to the 2022 MotoGP Series in Mandalika, show a two-dose vaccine certificate, have the PeduliLindungi application installed on their phone, bring their own toiletries and personal towels, and make a reservation prior to their arrival since the accommodation does not accept walk-in order.

The government has also readied a shuttle bus service on the routes: Gili Mas Port - Mandalika Harbor at 6:00-12:00 local time and Mandalika - Gili Mas Port at 12:00-6:00 local time on March 17-21, 2022.

Over 65 thousand people are estimated to head to Mandalika to watch the MotoGP series, whose race will take place on March 20, 2022.

Sadikin is optimistic that the MotoGP event in Mandalika would have a significant impact on the recovery of national tourism and encourage economic growth both regionally and nationally//ANT