Motorcyclists heading to Sumatra surge dramatically at Ciwandan Port before dawn prayers

Motorcycle passengers at Ciwandan Port in Cilegon, Banten heading to Sumatra island increased drastically in the early morning hours of Tuesday 17 March.

From monitoring since Monday 16 March evening at 20:00 WIB, vehicle queues were initially not particularly busy, with motorcycles occupying only one of the 12 available lanes. However, from 23:00 WIB until 02:00 WIB in the early morning hours—approaching the sahur (pre-dawn meal)—motorcycles continued to arrive and filled three lanes.

The travellers were observed carrying various baggage such as large bags and boxes tied to the rear of motorcycles, typical of long-distance homecoming journeys. Some travellers rode motorcycles with family members, whilst others arrived in convoys with fellow travellers.

According to official data, the total number of passengers passing through Ciwandan Port on Monday 16 March reached 9,622 people. Meanwhile, the total number of motorcycles transiting through Ciwandan Port reached 5,940 units.

By early Tuesday, 1,902 passengers had already passed through the port with a total of 1,196 motorcycles crossing.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi inspected Ciwandan Port on Monday in the early morning. Dudy reviewed various additional facilities provided in the Ciwandan Port area.

“The implementation of the exodus flow at Ciwandan Port is already very good compared to last year,” Dudy said at the time.

General Manager of Pelindo Regional 2 Banten, Benny Ariadi, said his team continues to strive to provide services that not only support operational smoothness but also provide comfort for travellers passing through Ciwandan Port.

“Pelindo Regional 2 Banten has provided a number of supporting facilities at Ciwandan Port, ranging from the readiness of dock infrastructure, vehicle buffer areas, to various service facilities for travellers such as service tents, portable toilets, prayer rooms, directional signage, ambulances, workshops, fuel filling kiosks as well as UMKM areas,” said Ariadi.