126,276 Jakarta Commuters Travel to Sumatra via ASDP for Lebaran 2026

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has reported significantly increased mobility amongst residents preparing for their Lebaran 2026 homecoming journeys. Based on latest data through H-8 Lebaran, 126,276 passengers have departed Java for Sumatra via the Merak-Bakauheni ferry crossing.

Data from the Merak Command Centre, covering services at Merak Port, Ciwandan, and BBJ Bojonegara, indicates that the total passenger count has accumulated from H-10 through H-8. In addition to passengers, 31,390 vehicles have crossed during this period.

Despite increasing congestion at the port, ASDP Chief Executive Officer Heru Widodo revealed that statistics show a decline in volume compared to the same period in 2025. “Total passengers have dropped 18.6 per cent compared to last year’s figure of 155,161 people. Meanwhile, total vehicles have also declined 13 per cent from last year’s realisation of 36,091 units,” explained Heru in an official statement on Monday (16 March 2026).

The decline is attributed to residents staggering their homecoming journeys earlier or utilising increasingly diverse alternative transport modes in 2026.

To ensure smooth passenger flow, ASDP has deployed 28 to 33 vessels per 24 hours. The company is also implementing an Arrival-Unload-Departure (AUD) operational pattern to accelerate cargo handling duration at wharves.

ASDP has implemented a “Single Tariff” policy during the 2026 Lebaran Transport period. Executive and regular wharf tariffs are equalised to encourage balanced utilisation of the seven available wharves at Merak, preventing vehicle congestion at any single point.

Meanwhile, traffic in the opposite direction (Sumatra to Java) via Bakauheni Port is beginning to move. A total of 97,385 passengers and 23,018 vehicles have crossed to Java, figures which also show a slight downward trend compared to last year.

Port authorities predict that peak homecoming traffic will still occur on 16–17 March 2026. Passengers are advised to obtain tickets at least 24 hours before departure through the Ferizy application to avoid queuing outside port areas.

The government projects approximately 143.9 million passenger movements during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period based on a survey by the Ministry of Transport.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry’s Kupang Branch has officially suspended temporarily several shipping routes in the East Nusa Tenggara (ENT) region. Vessel operations are highly dependent on weather conditions and recommendations from the Port Authority and Harbormaster’s Office (KSOP). The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) forecast serves as the primary basis for all ferry crossing operational policies.