Batam Domestic Ports Crowded with Holiday Travellers, Passenger Numbers Rise Significantly
The Eid al-Fitr 2026 homecoming flow in Batam City is showing a significant increase. Domestic ports at several locations are observed to be crowded with travellers intending to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 2026 with their families.
According to data from the Batam Authority (BP) Batam, 43,791 passengers were recorded leaving Batam via domestic ports during the period of 13 to 16 March 2026. This figure represents a 4.8% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Not only departures, but the number of arrivals in Batam also experienced a surge. During the same period, 23,981 people arrived in Batam, an increase of around 18% compared to 2025.
This rise in passenger numbers reflects the high mobility of the community during the 2026 Eid homecoming season. Additionally, the enthusiasm of residents to travel is considered greater than in the previous year.
Director of Port Management at BP Batam, Benny Syahroni, stated that the trend of increasing passengers aligns with the high enthusiasm of the community, supported by the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy from 25 to 27 March 2026.
“The peak return flow is estimated to occur on 27 to 29 March 2026,” he said on Wednesday (18/3).
BP Batam urges the public to plan their trips earlier to avoid excessive crowding at the ports. Additionally, prospective passengers are asked to purchase tickets through official channels to avoid scalping practices.
“Ensure purchases are made through official counters or online platforms that have partnered with operators,” he advised.
Meanwhile, the Head of BP Batam, Amsakar Achmad, conveyed that his side has optimised services during the 2026 Eid transportation period to maintain passenger comfort.
According to him, the 2026 Eid Sea Transportation Post has been prepared at several strategic points, including the Telaga Punggur Domestic Ferry Terminal, Sekupang, Harbour Bay, and the Bintang 99 Persada Terminal (Pelni).
“The Eid Sea Transportation Post serves as a control centre to respond quickly to every dynamic in the field,” he said.
Deputy Head of BP Batam, Li Claudia Chandra, added that cross-agency coordination continues to be strengthened to ensure the safety and smoothness of public travel during the homecoming season.
“Safety at crowded passenger points is our special attention,” she stated.
As part of efforts to ensure service readiness, a direct inspection was also conducted at the Sekupang Domestic Ferry Terminal on 15 March 2026. This step was taken to ensure that all facilities, personnel, and service systems operate optimally ahead of the peak homecoming and return flows.
BP Batam, along with all stakeholders, reaffirms its commitment to continue enhancing supervision and service quality, especially ahead of the peak return flow predicted to take place at the end of March 2026.