Lebaran 2026 Migration Flows at Sampit Port Begin to Rise, Mid-March Tickets Nearly Sold Out
Passenger migration flows for Lebaran 2026 at Sampit Port, in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, are experiencing significant increases. Several ship departure schedules in mid-March are reportedly nearly fully booked.
Siti Nafillah, Head of Pelni Sampit Branch, disclosed the surge in passenger numbers is already evident in mid-month departure schedules.
“Passenger numbers for KM Leuser departures on 14 and 16 March have already exceeded 1,300 people and the position is already non-seat. Remaining tickets may only total around 100 because ship capacity cannot exceed that according to local KSOP regulations,” Siti Nafillah said at Sampit on Sunday.
This statement was made following a direct inspection of Sampit Port. During the inspection, 617 passengers were dispatched to Surabaya using PT Pelni via motor ship KM Lawit.
The day before, the same ship had arrived at Sampit carrying 139 passengers from Semarang.
For that day’s departure schedule, passenger numbers remained normal. However, the two following schedules showed sharp increases with ticket reservations reaching approximately 1,300 people.
“Because tickets are starting to run out, we are currently restricting sales. For travel agents and the general public, we have closed everything and are focusing on the branch counter,” said Siti.
According to Siti, the trend of increasing migration flows at Sampit Port occurs annually. However, for Lebaran 2026, the surge is considered more pronounced owing to government economic stimulus in the form of approximately 30% ticket price reductions.
This discount programme is considered effective in encouraging public interest in using sea transport as an economical and comfortable option for holiday migration.
Besides price factors, migrants also consider accessibility and ship facilities, which are deemed adequate.
One migrant, Edi Sutomo, from Seruyan Regency, chose to depart through Sampit to return to his hometown in Jepara.
“I chose Sampit because it is closer. My experience with Pelni ships has been safe and the service is good. Rest areas are orderly according to deck numbers, so there is no need to scramble,” said Edi.
Facing Lebaran 2026 migration flows, the Central Java-DI Yogyakarta National Road Implementation Agency (BBPJN Jateng-DIY) is conducting intensive mapping of congestion-prone points and disaster risks.
The Traffic Directorate of West Java Regional Police has confirmed that several toll road sections are designed to operate functionally during the Lebaran 2026 migration and return periods.
The Traffic Unit of Cirebon Metro Police is conducting surveys and inspecting road conditions in their jurisdiction.