JAKARTA, Indonesia – Transportation officials said Monday (July 15th) that they expect a hike this year in the number of people streaming out of Jakarta toward the end of Ramadan, local media reported.

Muslim men pray at the Istiqlal mosque on the sixth day of Ramadan in Jakarta on Monday (July 15th). Indonesia is expecting an increase in Ramadan-related travel this year. [Adek Berry/AFP]

Udar Pristono, the head of the Jakarta Transportation Office, predicted an increase of 8.6% to 9.7 million people compared to last year, adding that 7.2 million are expected to travel using private vehicles, including 1.4 million on motorcycle, according to Kompas.com.

The government has been trying to discourage the use of motorcycles, given high accident rates.

Head of police operations Commissioner Istiono predicted an even higher number of travellers, suggesting a hike of about 10%, according to VIVA News.