Eight Days Before Eid, Homebound Travel Flow from Java to Sumatra Continues
JAKARTA – Homebound travel flow from Java towards Sumatra via the Merak–Bakauheni route began moving eight days before Eid al-Fitr 2026. Public mobility for those crossing continues to increase alongside rising travel activity ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has ensured ferry services on the route remain operational with readiness preparations to anticipate the surge in public mobility during the Eid transport period.
ASDP Chief Executive Director Heru Widodo stated that various anticipatory measures have been prepared in advance to maintain smooth homebound travel flow.
“We continue to make various preparations ranging from strengthening operations to optimising port facilities to ensure public travel can proceed in an orderly and smooth manner,” Heru said in a statement on Saturday (14 March 2026).
To support operational smoothness during the Eid transport period, ASDP is adjusting the number of vessels operating according to crossing traffic density. The fleet prepared ranges from 28 to 33 vessels every 24 hours to serve passengers.
The company has also enhanced various service facilities at ports, including 24-hour customer service, addition of Garbarata Express II on the Merak–Bakauheni route, additional portable toilets, and strengthened lighting and electrical systems in port areas.
Furthermore, ASDP has introduced electric shuttle buses at Merak and Bakauheni port areas to facilitate passenger mobility, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities.
“Since 13–16 March, 20 units of free public transport have been provided serving several connecting routes,” said Windy.
These services operate on routes including Cilegon Station–Kerenceng Station with 2 units, Kerenceng Station–Merak Station with 1 unit, Cilegon Station–Merak Station with 9 units, Merak Station–Cilegon Station with 7 units, and Merak Station–Kerenceng Station with 1 unit.
Fleet distribution is adjusted to passenger movement arriving gradually from train journeys. ASDP, working with transport partners, continues to coordinate to optimise the availability of connecting vehicles, particularly during train arrival times with higher passenger volumes.
Based on data from the Merak Command Post, total passengers crossing from Java to Sumatra through Merak Port, Ciwandan, and BBJ Bojonegara from 10 days to 8 days before Eid reached 126,276 people. This figure is down 18.6 per cent compared to the same period last year which recorded 155,161 people.
Meanwhile, total vehicles recorded 31,390 units, declining 13 per cent compared to last year’s realisation of 36,091 units.