Migrants at Ciwandan Forced to Buy Boat Tickets from Touts

A number of migrants at Ciwandan Port, Banten, have reported being forced to purchase ferry tickets through touts due to difficulties making payments via the available application.

One migrant from Bitung, Tangerang, named David said he purchased a ticket for Rp90,000. However, through official channels, the ticket price is only Rp45,000.

David had previously experienced difficulties paying via the application. “I paid Rp90,000. I tried buying once before and it was difficult to pay,” David said at Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, Banten, on Monday evening (15 March).

David acknowledged that prices from touts are higher than purchasing through the available application. He chose to buy from touts nevertheless because he did not want to deal with the hassle. When purchasing from a tout, he was asked to provide his identity card.

“Yes, I bought from a tout rather than deal with the trouble,” he said.

The Director General of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Heru Widodo, previously stated he would take action against ticket touts at both Merak and Ciwandan ports in Banten. He also appealed to passengers not to purchase tickets from touts.

“We once again urge the public to purchase tickets online independently and not through intermediaries,” Heru said at Merak Port on Monday.

Heru emphasised that ASDP has maintained an online ticket purchasing system for six years. According to him, the public should already be aware of the system.

“We have been offering online tickets since 2020. This means the system has been operating for six years. The public should already know that our tickets have been sold online for six years,” he said.