Return Traffic from Eid Exodus at Bakauheni Port Begins to Increase on H+2 Lebaran

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) has reported that passenger ship movements for the return leg of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr/Idul Fitri 1447 Hijriah exodus at Bakauheni Port began showing an increase on H+2, or Monday, 23 March 2026.

General Manager of the ASDP Bakauheni Branch, Partogi Tamba, stated that from Sunday (22/3) to Monday afternoon, traffic at Bakauheni Port was observed to be getting busier for both pedestrian passengers and vehicles.

Although there was a surge, he said the ferry services continued to run smoothly, orderly, and under control thanks to thorough operational preparedness and coordination across stakeholders.

“The increasing movements indicate that the return flow trend is underway. We continue to ensure service readiness, both operationally and in terms of facilities, to anticipate the peak period surge,” said Partogi in his statement on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.

Based on data from the Bakauheni Post over 24 hours, there were 146 ship trips with a total of 51,751 passengers, an increase of 30.5% compared to last year. The total vehicles reached 14,094 units, a significant rise of 45.3%.

“The most striking increase was 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 or increasing 19.7%,” he said.

He also assured that operations were running optimally with adaptive control scenarios. The vehicle diversion scheme for the return flow has begun to be implemented. Flows towards Java are served through Bakauheni Port for pedestrian passengers and vehicles in groups I, II, III, IVA, VA, and VIA.

Meanwhile, he said, vehicles in groups IVB, VB, and VIB, which are exempt from operational restrictions, are diverted through the BBJ Muara Pilu Port. Vehicles such as three-axle VIB trucks, VII, VIII, and IX, which are still under restrictions, are directed to wait in buffer zones or several toll rest areas to maintain smooth traffic flow.

“Vehicle flows are still within service capacity limits. The arrival pattern is fairly even, so the ship loading and unloading process runs quickly without significant obstacles,” he added.