Ferry Ticket Discounts Still Available, ASDP Urges Early Booking

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) is inviting the public to make use of the discount programme for crossing fares during the return Eid flow in 2026. To date, more than 1.06 million users have taken advantage of this stimulus across various national routes. The programme provides discounts of up to 100% on port service fees, equivalent to approximately 21.9% of the total crossing fare. This policy forms part of ASDP’s support for government efforts to deliver more affordable and inclusive travel. ASDP President Director Heru Widodo stated that the programme quota remains substantial and can be optimally utilised by the public. “We urge the public to plan their return travel early and book tickets promptly via Ferizy. The programme quota is still widely available, giving the public an opportunity for more economical journeys,” he said in a written statement on Friday (20/3/2026). As of 18 March 2026 at 23:59 WIB, the realisation of stimulus absorption reached Rp10.5 billion, or about 29.58% of the target, with the number of service users at 44.43%. This difference is influenced by variations in vehicle types and routes utilising the programme. The programme applies to seven routes and 14 ports, including Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Lembar-Padangbai, Kupang-Rote, Kupang-Kalabahi, Kupang-Hansisi, and Galala-Namlea. This national coverage makes programme absorption dynamic, following public mobility in each region. With increasing mobility, the distribution of homecoming traffic is also more even. On the Java-Sumatra route, data from the Merak Post (Merak Port, Ciwandan, and BBJ Bojonegara) on H-1 Eid (20 March 2026) recorded 20,540 passengers crossing, down 33.5% from 30,885 people last year. The total vehicles recorded were 6,203 units, down 31.6% from 9,066 units last year. This decline indicates that some of the public have travelled earlier, so the flow is not concentrated. To maintain smoothness, ASDP is operating 28 to 33 ships per day flexibly according to density. In addition, a delaying system is implemented in several buffer zones to regulate vehicle flow, supported by 1,185 personnel in Merak and 741 in Bakauheni. From the digital service side, ASDP is optimising the Ferizy platform, which allows ticket purchases up to H-60 before departure. Tickets can be received via WhatsApp or email with various digital payment options. Cumulatively, passenger movements from Java to Sumatra from H-10 to H-1 reached 817,456 people, up 2.4% from 798,141 last year. The total vehicles recorded were 218,218 units, up 7.7% from 202,588 units. Meanwhile, the flow from Sumatra to Java reached 386,942 passengers, up 3.9% from 372,547 people last year, with a total of 79,404 vehicles, up 9% from 72,869 units. ASDP once again urges the public to plan travel early and ensure they have tickets before arriving at the port. With various preparations, ASDP is committed to providing safe, orderly, and comfortable crossing services during both homecoming and return flows.