Minister of Transportation's Strategy for the Return Flow Across the Sumatra-Java Crossing
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi is preparing strategies to handle the return flow of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah across the Sumatra-Java crossing. This is to ensure that the return journey of holidaymakers proceeds in a controlled, safe, secure, and smooth manner.
Dudy stated that his ministry has moved to evaluate several critical points during the peak of the outbound Eid flow in 2026, while preparing anticipatory steps to ensure the return flow across the Sumatra-Java crossing runs safely and smoothly.
“The peak of the outbound flow has passed. Currently, our focus is on ensuring the return flow can be managed better, with faster responses and more mature strategies,” Dudy said in Jakarta on Sunday, 22 March 2026, as reported by Antara.
He conveyed that his side had held an evaluation and coordination meeting at the office of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) in Merak on Sunday, involving all stakeholders.
To face the return flow, Dudy instructed all stakeholders to increase readiness through more adaptive and responsive scenarios to field dynamics.
Several strategies have been prepared, including accelerating the activation of arrival-unloading-departure (TBB) when there is an increase in vehicles, accompanied by simulations of service capacity under the 5 and 6 dock schemes to ensure optimal capacity.
Anticipation is also being carried out for potential crossing points at Bakauheni to avoid hindering unloading and loading flows, as well as optimising rest areas through intensive coordination with the police in regulating vehicle distribution and flow.
In addition, evaluations are being conducted on the use of non-TBB docks and the regulation of the number of ships to maintain efficiency, as well as preparing options for using the alternative crossing from Panjang Port to Krakatau Bandar Samudra (KBS) if there is a vehicle build-up.
The use of technology is also being strengthened through the deployment of drones for real-time monitoring, particularly in the Bakauheni area, to quickly and accurately identify potential queues.
On the upstream side, optimisation of buffer zones and rest areas in implementing the delaying system on Sumatra Island is being carried out through coordination with the National Traffic Police Corps (Korlantas Polri) to hold vehicles before entering the port.
In addition, increased vigilance is being applied at vulnerable points, such as souvenir sales areas on flyover descents that have the potential to cause traffic obstructions.
Dudy emphasised that the results of the outbound flow evaluation form the basis for refining the return flow strategy, given the high potential for public movement in the coming days.
“Every note from the outbound flow must be immediately addressed by us. Do not wait for problems to escalate. The key lies in the speed of response and the accuracy of decision-making in the field,” Dudy stated.
Based on the evaluation results, the peak of the outbound flow occurred on 18 March 2026. Overall, the organisation was deemed to have run quite well, but there were still several important notes, one of which related to the implementation of the new arrival-unloading-departure (TBB) mechanism that was only optimal at 3-4 docks.
Going forward, Dudy requested that the TBB mechanism be implemented more quickly and expanded to 5-6 docks to increase service capacity and reduce the potential for queues.
Dudy also highlighted the importance of controlling vehicle flow within the port area to prevent queues from extending outside the port premises.
Arrangements in supporting areas also came under scrutiny, such as in the Indah Kiat area which requires operational engineering in the form of adding or widening loading and unloading access to avoid vehicle flow intersections.
Meanwhile, ticket purchasing activities also became a point of evaluation, with the need to expand the ticket purchase zone radius beyond 4 km to minimise build-ups at critical points leading to the port.
Dudy stressed the importance of implementing the Ferizy ticketing system with the principle of one National ID Number (NIK) for one ticket. This is to prevent scalping practices and improve service orderliness.