ASDP: 79 Percent of Sumatra Returnees Have Returned to Java

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), or ASDP, has revealed that 79 percent of returnees from Sumatra have returned to Java as of H+6 Eid al-Fitr 2026. Data indicates that 713,702 passengers have crossed from a total of 898,864 during the outbound journey, while returning vehicles number 188,559 units, or 79 percent of the total 239,920 units.

Based on data from the Bakauheni Post for the 24-hour period on 28 March 2026 from 00:00 to 23:59 WIB, 111,589 passengers crossed from Sumatra to Java, a 11 percent decrease compared to last year’s 125,406 people. Meanwhile, the total vehicles reached 29,893 units, an increase of 3.7 percent from the previous year’s realisation of 29,839 units.

ASDP’s Director of Operations and Transformation, Rio Lasse, emphasised that operations remain under control despite the return flow being at its peak phase.

“The increasingly even distribution of traffic has become a key factor. With this pattern, the crossing flow can still be managed optimally even with high movement volumes,” he stated in an official release on Sunday (29/3).

Cumulatively for the H-10 to H+6 period, the total passengers from Sumatra to Java reached 1,148,252 people, up 2.5 percent from last year’s 1,120,046. Meanwhile, total vehicles reached 278,950 units, a 5.9 percent growth from 263,481 units.

For the Java to Sumatra route, 1,266,794 passengers were recorded, an increase of 2.3 percent from 1,238,326 people, with total vehicles reaching 320,283 units, up 6.8 percent compared to 299,824 units in the same period last year.

To maintain service smoothness, ASDP has implemented anticipatory measures including ship fleet optimisation, the Arrive-Unload-Depart (TBB) scheme, delaying system in the buffer zone, as well as tariff discount incentives and single tariff policies.

As part of traffic management during the 2026 Eid Transport period, operational restrictions on logistics vehicles were also enforced. From 23-29 March 2026, Bakauheni Port was prioritised to serve foot passengers and vehicles in groups I to VI A heading to Merak Port.

Meanwhile, large logistics vehicles in groups V B to IX were diverted via BBJ Muara Pilu Port to Bojonegara to reduce potential congestion on the main route. Ticket sales for those logistics vehicles were also temporarily halted at Bakauheni Port for departures starting from 23 March at 00:00 WIB until 29 March 2026 at 24:00 WIB.

“We urge all logistics actors to comply with the regulations set during this Eid Transport period,” Rio stressed.

This policy will end on Sunday (29/3) at 24:00 WIB, in line with the normalisation of services post-peak return flow. During that period, a single tariff policy was also enforced, functioning as a regular tariff to maintain traffic distribution balance.

“The discount incentive applies until 31 March 2026, while the single tariff until 29 March at 24:00 WIB. We urge the public to take advantage of it to avoid congestion,” Rio concluded.