ASDP: Java returnees to Sumatra beginning to move from eight days before Eid
As Eid al-Fitr approaches, public mobility across various regions of Indonesia is increasing, with returnees crossing from Java to Sumatra along the Merak-Bakauheni corridor beginning to show movement activity, according to ASDP General Director Heru Widodo in a statement released in Jakarta on Sunday.
ASDP is ensuring ferry service readiness to facilitate smooth, safe, and comfortable travel for the public, given that the Merak-Bakauheni route plays a vital role as the primary inter-island connector.
Heru acknowledged that the company has undertaken various anticipatory measures from the outset to prepare for the surge in public mobility during the Eid transport period.
“We continue undertaking various preparations ranging from operational reinforcement to optimisation of port facilities to ensure public travel proceeds in an orderly and smooth manner,” Heru stated.
To support operational continuity during the Eid transport period, the number of operational vessel fleets is adjusted according to traffic density levels, ranging from 28 to 33 vessels per 24 hours ready to serve users.
Additionally, the company will implement an arrival, discharge, and departure (ADD) operational pattern to accelerate the service process at ports so that vessel movements become more efficient and can accommodate high passenger and vehicle mobility.
This readiness is further reinforced through improvements to various service facilities at ports, including 24-hour customer service, additional Garbarata Express II vessels on the Merak–Bakauheni route, additional portable toilets, and strengthened lighting and electrical systems in the port area.
ASDP also provides electric shuttle buses in the Merak and Bakauheni port areas to facilitate mobility for service users, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale added that the company also coordinates with various stakeholders to strengthen transport connectivity to ports.
Windy noted that during 13-16 March, 20 units of free public transport have been provided serving several connector routes, namely Cilegon Station-Kerenceng Station (2 units) and Kerenceng Station-Merak Station (1 unit).
Subsequently, Cilegon Station-Merak Station (9 units), Merak Station-Cilegon Station (7 units), and Merak Station-Kerenceng Station (1 unit).
“The distribution of this fleet is adjusted to match passenger movements arriving in stages from railway journeys,” Windy said.
Furthermore, she stated that ASDP together with transport partners and field stakeholders continues to coordinate to ensure the availability of connector vehicles can be optimised.
“Particularly during peak train arrival times with higher passenger volumes,” Windy explained.
Going forward, operational monitoring will continue to be strengthened so that passenger mobility from Cilegon Station to Merak Port can proceed more smoothly, safely, and comfortably during the 2026 Eid transport period.
She stated that based on data from the Merak Command Post, the total number of passengers crossing from Java to Sumatra through Merak Port, Ciwandan, and BBJ Bojonegara from eight to ten days before Eid recorded 126,276 persons, or down 18.6 per cent compared to the same period last year of 155,161 persons.
Total vehicles recorded 31,390 units, down 13 per cent compared to last year’s realisation of 36,091 units.
Meanwhile, from Sumatra to Java through Bakauheni Port, Wika Beton, and BBJ Muara Pilu during the same period recorded 97,385 passengers, or down 9.4 per cent compared to last year’s 107,541 persons.
Total vehicles crossing recorded 23,018 units, or down 3.1 per cent compared to last year’s realisation of 23,766 units.
Through operational readiness and continued service improvements, ASDP is committed to delivering reliable ferry services so that the public’s homecoming journey can proceed more orderly, smoothly, and memorably.