Lebaran 2026 Return Flow: Bakauheni Port Begins to See Homecomers, Passenger Numbers Reach 51,000
The movement of the Lebaran 2026 return flow from Sumatra to Java via Bakauheni Port is beginning to show a significant upward trend. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) projects that the peak of the return flow will occur on Tuesday (24/3) and Wednesday (25/3), in line with increasing public mobility following the Lebaran 2026 holidays.
Based on data from the Bakauheni Post during a 24-hour period on Sunday (22/3), there were 146 ship trips with a total of 51,751 passengers, an increase of 30.5% compared to last year. The total number of vehicles reached 14,094 units, a significant rise of 45.3%. Traffic at Bakauheni Port is observed to be starting to bustle, both for foot passengers and vehicles. ASDP President Director Heru Widodo stated that the current increase in traffic serves as an initial indicator of the start of the return flow phase.
“The movement that is beginning to increase indicates that the return flow trend is already underway. We continue to ensure service readiness, both in terms of operations and facilities,” he said in an official statement received by Media Indonesia on Monday (23/3).
From the field perspective, the General Manager of the ASDP Bakauheni Branch, Partogi Tamba, explained that the vehicle diversion scheme for the return flow has begun to be implemented. The flow towards Java is served through Bakauheni Port for foot passengers as well as vehicles in groups I, II, III, IVA, VA, and VIA.
Meanwhile, vehicles in groups IVB, VB, and VIB, which are exempted from operational restrictions, are diverted through the BBJ Muara Pilu Port. Trucks in group VIB with three axles, VII, VIII, and IX, which are still under restriction, are directed to wait in buffer zones or several toll rest areas to maintain smooth traffic flow.
“Vehicle flow is still within the service capacity limits. The arrival pattern is quite even, so the ship loading and unloading process runs quickly without significant obstacles,” he explained.
He added that dock service management is carried out flexibly through a multi-dock scheme, both for foot passengers and vehicles, to keep distribution even and service rhythm stable amid the increasing volume.
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale added that service users are urged to plan their trips earlier and not to pile up during the peak period. Passengers are asked to ensure they have purchased tickets via Ferizy before arriving at the port.
“Currently, there is no ticket sales at the port, so all service users are required to make purchases independently through official channels,” she emphasised.
Based on data from the Bakauheni Post, the most striking increase occurred in motorcycles, reaching 5,248 units or up 59.4%, followed by four-wheeled vehicles at 7,407 units or up 27.9%. Meanwhile, logistics vehicles were recorded at 1,202 units, surging 189.6%, and buses at 237 units, increasing 19.7%.
Cumulatively from H-10 to HH, the number of passengers from Sumatra to Java reached 480,613 people, up 5.8%, with a total of 102,031 vehicles, growing 11.5%.
In contrast, traffic from Java to Sumatra via Merak Port, Ciwandan, and BBJ Bojonegara on Hari H recorded 53,594 passengers, down 4.3%, with 13,383 vehicles, down 5.7%. However, cumulatively, the movement still shows a positive trend with a total of 952,458 passengers, up 1%, and 253,049 vehicles, increasing 5.6%.
The Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation urges homecomers to maximise work-from-anywhere (WFA) time or working from anywhere to ease the peak return flow.
The Minister of Transportation also urges homecomers to avoid the Lebaran 2026 return flow peak on 24, 28, and 29 March 2026.
The Minister of Transportation requests the public to be wary of the surge in vehicle volume during the Lebaran 2026 return flow period.
The National Traffic Corps Chief of Police predicts that the peak of the Lebaran 2026 return flow will occur on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. To avoid extreme vehicle build-up.
The Public Relations Manager of KAI Daop 6 Yogyakarta stated that the peak return flow in Daop 6 Yogyakarta will start to be seen tomorrow or 23 March 2026.
Regarding a viral video showing passengers held inside the ship, it was affirmed that this is a safety procedure.
The Ministry of Transportation implements a delaying system and establishes buffer zones at Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang, and Gilimanuk Ports to anticipate dense mudik and return flows during Lebaran 2026.
In addition to the crossing dock division, the government also prepares a delaying system or traffic engineering aimed at slowing down vehicles entering the port.
The party continues to coordinate with related stakeholders to ensure the Lebaran return flow runs smoothly.
The Minister of Transportation visited Bakauheni Port in Lampung to ensure the smooth service of goods and vehicle transportation during the Lebaran 2025 return flow.