Return Traffic from Bakauheni-Merak Smooth, 72% of Travellers Have Returned

The return flow of Eid transport in 2026 shows an increasingly controlled trend, with the majority of travellers having returned to Java. Cumulatively, up to H+6, 651,195 passengers or around 72% have returned to Java from a total of 898,864 people who departed during the outbound journey (H-10 to H+6).

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles that have returned reaches 169,385 units or around 71% of the total 239,920 vehicles that crossed from Java to Sumatra during the outbound period.

This achievement reflects effective management of the return flow, supported by solid cross-sector coordination in maintaining the smoothness, safety, and comfort of public travel.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) expressed appreciation for the close collaboration of all stakeholders, from the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Indonesian National Police (Polri), Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), local governments (pemda), mass media, all stakeholders, and strategic partners in the field who have maintained and supported optimal operational smoothness throughout the outbound and return periods.

Not forgetting the crossing passengers who have complied by avoiding travel during peak outbound and return times.

ASDP President Director Heru Widodo emphasised that although there was an increase in return traffic, services remained in prime condition.

“The return flow has indeed increased, but services continue to run smoothly and evenly. This is the result of joint efforts by all stakeholders ensuring safe travel and a comfortable Eid,” said Heru in a written statement on Saturday (28/3/2026).

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the management of this year’s outbound and return flows is under control. Various traffic engineering schemes, including the delaying system, have been applied adaptively based on green, yellow, to red situation indicators.

“Overall, the return flow is still in the green category or smooth. We have also prepared alternative scenarios if long queues occur,” explained Sigit.

Sigit added that for the Java-Bali route specifically, the return flow is also well distributed. Around 51% of travellers, totalling 267,968 passengers and 83,357 vehicles, have returned from Bali to Java, while the remaining 49% will travel back in the coming days, thus requiring joint attention in future traffic distribution management.

In agreement, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi expressed thanks to all parties, including the public who have disciplined in following officers’ instructions.

“Both outbound and return flows this year have gone well. From Bakauheni, around 30% of travellers remain,” said Dudy.

“All schemes have been prepared, from buffer zones, delaying systems, to additional ships, so congestion can be cleared in the next two days,” he continued.

Slight Increase

Based on data from the Bakauheni Post as of 28 March 2026 from 00:00 to 14:00 WIB, the total passengers from Sumatra to Java from H-10 to H+6 reached 1,085,745 people, up 2.1% from last year. The total vehicles recorded 259,776 units, up 4% from the previous year.

Conversely, movements from Java to Sumatra recorded 1,241,356 passengers, up 2.5%, with total vehicles reaching 314,209 units or growing 6.7%. During this period, ASDP operated 28-33 ships per day on the Merak-Bakauheni route, applying the Arrive-Unload-Depart (TBB) pattern during surges, and deploying 1,926 combined personnel at Merak and Bakauheni to ensure services remain controlled.

ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale added that the implementation of stimulus policies such as fare discounts and single tariffs has proven effective in distributing traffic more evenly.

“We also appreciate the public who have orderly purchased tickets via Ferizy, arrived on schedule, and filled in data correctly, thus supporting overall service smoothness,” said Windy.

With around 28% of travellers still to return, ASDP together with all stakeholders ensures full readiness is maintained. Solid coordination and adaptive anticipatory measures are key to keeping the return flow smooth until the service period ends.