Elderly Passenger Overcharged for Ferry Ticket; ASDP Apologises and Takes Action Against Staff
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry has responded to complaints from a 72-year-old passenger named Asrul who claimed to have purchased a ferry ticket at nearly double the standard price at Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, Banten. ASDP has issued an apology and disciplined the staff member involved in the incident.
Umar Imran Batubara, General Manager of ASDP’s Merak Branch, stated that the incident occurred on Sunday, 15 March in the evening. He confirmed that the price difference has been fully refunded to the passenger.
“PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) extends its apologies for the inconvenience experienced by one of our service users at Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, regarding the difference in ferry ticket prices that occurred on Sunday, 15 March in the evening,” he said on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Umar explained that the passenger initially did not have a ticket, which should have been purchased through official channels. He then requested assistance from the check-in service counter staff.
“During this process, the staff assisted with ticket purchase through an agent for a payment of Rp80,000,” he said.
After the passenger’s vehicle was positioned in the loading area, the individual questioned the amount because the ticket showed a price of Rp45,000.
ASDP field staff then clarified and investigated the matter. The investigation revealed a price discrepancy in the transaction.
“The difference has been fully refunded to the service user, whilst the ticket held remains valid for travel,” he said.
ASDP has also taken disciplinary action against the staff member involved in the incident.
“As a follow-up, the staff member involved has been suspended from service duties, and the labour service provider has been issued an official warning letter,” he said.
“Subsequently, the individual will be questioned further by the Ciwandan Port Authority for investigation proceedings in accordance with applicable regulations,” he added.
Umar stressed ASDP’s commitment to maintaining service integrity and strengthening supervision at all operational points to ensure every service user receives fair, transparent, and comfortable service.
He also encouraged the public to purchase tickets independently through the official Ferizy application or channels before arriving at the port to ensure a more orderly and smooth journey process.
Previously, Asrul, who resides in Bekasi, West Java, had protested the ticket prices at Ciwandan Port, which he believed were nearly double the standard rate.
Asrul, who was planning to return to Padang, West Sumatra, initially went to Merak Port. However, he was directed to Ciwandan Port because he was travelling by motorcycle.
He arrived at Ciwandan Port on Sunday, 16 March 2026 at approximately 23:00 WIB. At that time, he did not have an online ticket, which should have been purchased beforehand.
“When I got to the ticket counter, they asked me, ‘Sir, where is your phone?’ ‘I don’t have one,’ I said. He helped me,” said Asrul.
He was then asked to pay Rp80,000 for the ticket. However, he felt uneasy because the price shown on the ticket was only Rp45,000.
“He said Rp80,000. When I checked the ticket, it said Rp45,000, and he’s the staff member,” he said.