Returning Home for Eid by Traditional Boat from Bekasi to Cilincing: Affordable, One Hour Journey

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Amid the dense Eid return traffic, some Cilincing residents are choosing an unusual method to get back to their homes. They rely on traditional fishing boats that serve the route from Muara Gembong, Bekasi Regency, West Java; to Cakung Drain Dock, Cilincing, North Jakarta; and vice versa. In the past, there were several wooden boats serving the route from Cakung Drain Dock in Cilincing to Muara Gembong. However, now only one unit remains. The green-coloured boat, measuring 10x2 metres, does not only operate during the Eid homecoming season but every day. Every day, the wooden boat transports passengers from Muara Gembong who want to sell fish pond produce to Cilincing. There are also Muara Gembong residents who take the boat every day to commute to work in Jakarta. “It’s been almost eight years. Every year, it also serves as transport for those returning home for Eid,” said the owner of the traditional boat, Kasna (45), when met by Kompas.com at the location on Thursday (26/3/2026). Not only people, this traditional boat can also carry motorcycles for Eid travellers. The fare is the same, namely Rp 25,000 per vehicle. “This can accommodate 50 people; for motorcycles, it depends on the luggage the travellers bring—if there’s a lot, then the space for motorcycles is limited to about four or five,” explained Kasna. Kasna said that the luggage of Eid travellers is sometimes very heavy, making the boat feel very full and cramped. Kasna can guarantee the safety of her traditional boat. This is because the vessel is always checked by the Water and Air Police Corps (Polairud) before departing from Cakung Drain Dock in Cilincing. “If here (in Cilincing), the ship’s safety is checked by Polairud,” said Kasna. Likewise, when preparing to depart from Muara Gembong Dock, the traditional boat is again checked by the local Transportation Department (Dishub). The inspections cover the condition of the vessel when it is about to operate up to the availability of life jackets.