Delaying Traffic System at Ports Enforced During Lebaran Homecoming

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The government is preparing a special strategy to anticipate the surge of vehicles at ferry ports during the Lebaran 2026 homecoming and return flow. One of the key steps is the implementation of a delaying system or buffer zone that will apply during specific periods, particularly on busy routes such as Merak–Bakauheni and Ketapang–Gilimanuk. Director General of Land Transportation, Aan Suhanan, emphasised that the regulation scheme has been prepared with various parties to ease congestion at several main ports. “We have prepared a delaying system strategy and deployed buffer zones at a number of points to manage the queue of vehicles heading to the ports. So that there is no build-up at the main access,” he said, in an official statement, Tuesday (3/3/2026). Pedestrian passengers and vehicles in groups IVa, Va, VIa, and IVb will still pass through Merak Port. Meanwhile vehicles in groups I, II, III, Vb, and VIb (two-axle) are redirected via Ciwandan. As for trucks in group VIb (three-axle), VII, VIII, and IX, they are directed to BBJ Bojonegara or buffer zone if subject to operational restrictions. On the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route and MB Wharf, the arrangements apply longer, i.e., 13–29 March 2026. Services are focused on passengers and small vehicles, while freight vehicles are redirected to Dermaga LCM and Bulusan. The government also prepares alternative routes Tanjung Wangi–Gilimas and Jangkar–Lembar to support logistics distribution to NTB. Additionally, ferry operations will be temporarily halted during Nyepi Day at several points, namely Ketapang (18 March 17:00–20 March 06:00), Gilimanuk (19 March 05:00–20 March 06:00), Lembar (18 March 21:00–20 March 01:30), and Padangbai (19 March 04:00–20 March 11:30). The scheme is implemented through buffer zones along various tol and non-tol roads leading to the main port. In other words, vehicles that do not have a departure schedule yet or do not meet the requirements can be held temporarily at the buffering point before entering the port area. Furthermore, Aan said, the delaying travel management and buffer zones are also being implemented toward several locations. Among them are Bakauheni Port and BBJ Muara Pilu at the rest area KM 172B on the Terbanggi Besar - Pematang Panggang - Kayu Agung tol corridor, 87B, 49B, and 20B on the Bakauheni - Terbanggi Besar tol corridor. “The implementation of the delaying system to Bakauheni and BBJ Muara Pilu is spread over 10 buffer-zone points with total parking capacity reaching 1,430 small vehicles. Its implementation starts 13-29 March 2026,” Aan said.