ASDP Predicts Peak Homecoming Traffic for 18-19 March 2026

The Managing Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), Heru Widodo, has predicted that the peak homecoming traffic for ferry crossings between Java and Sumatra will occur on 18-19 March 2026. This prediction is based on an analysis of population movement patterns and ticket reservation data collected up to five days before the anticipated peak.

“Our prediction is that the peak period will be from 18 March through 19 March for the Java and Java-Sumatra regions,” Heru stated during a press conference at Merak Port in Banten on Monday, 16 March 2026.

Heru urged ferry service users to anticipate the congestion expected during this period, particularly for homebound travellers from the Java region. Based on the latest reservation data from the past 24 hours, the number of passengers from Java to Sumatra was recorded at 41,702 people.

This figure represents an 11.6 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, which reached 47,193 people. However, a different trend emerged in the two-wheeler vehicle sector, which actually increased by 11.6 percent with a total of 4,241 units. “In contrast, four-wheel vehicles totalled 5,539 units or decreased by 23.1 percent,” Heru explained.

Meanwhile, bus transportation experienced an increase of 12.3 percent to 274 units. In aggregate from five to ten days before the peak, the volume of crossings from Java to Sumatra showed a positive growth trend with a total of 311,511 passengers, up 6.7 percent compared to last year.

Total vehicles overall during this period also increased by 6.9 percent, reaching 72,629 units.

For travel in the opposite direction from Sumatra to Java, 20,532 people were recorded crossing (up 8.2 percent), with two-wheeler vehicles totalling 230 units (up 2.36 percent) and four-wheel vehicles reaching 2,412 units or up 2.9 percent.

Conditions at Merak Port during the daytime today remained relatively quiet, with car parks appearing largely empty.

ASDP believes the pattern of population movement remains consistent with previous years, where an increase in vehicle volume typically occurs only after the evening prayer time until the approach of dawn. “Significant surges are expected to begin once the public breaks the fast, as many homebound travellers prefer to travel at night for comfort whilst observing Ramadan worship,” Heru added.