Today Marks the First Peak of the Return Flow at Merak and Bakauheni Ports

Today marks the first peak of the Lebaran 2026 return flow at Merak Port in Banten and Bakauheni Port in Lampung, predicted to occur on Tuesday (24/3) to Wednesday (25/3). Even the movement of the return flow at these two ports has already been felt since Sunday (22/3). “The current increase in traffic is an early indicator of the start of the return flow phase,” said the President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Heru Widodo, on Tuesday (24/3). To prevent congestion among travellers at the Sumatra-Java crossing facilities and vice versa, the government has implemented vehicle restriction regulations. Bakauheni Port will only serve foot passengers and vehicles in groups I, II, III, IVA, VA, and VIA. Meanwhile, vehicles in groups IVB, VB, and VIB that are exempted from operational restrictions are diverted through BBJ Muara Pilu Port. As for three-axle VIB trucks, groups VII, VIII, and IX that are still under restriction are directed to wait in buffer zones or several toll rest areas to maintain smooth traffic flow. “Ensure you have purchased tickets through Ferizy before arriving at the port. Currently, there are no ticket sales at the port, so all service users are required to make independent purchases through official channels,” said ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale on Tuesday. It should be noted that Merak Port, Ciwandan, and Bandang Bakau Jaya, from H-10 to the second Eid al-Fitr on 22 March, have been passed by 952,458 people and 253,049 vehicles. Meanwhile, those crossing from Sumatra to Java number 480,613 people, with a total of 102,031 vehicles. The busiest corridor The Java-Sumatra-Bali route remains the busiest and most vital national corridor. To maintain smoothness, ASDP is implementing adjustments to ship operation patterns, personnel readiness, and traffic engineering in the form of vehicle diversions and a delaying system in several buffer zones. In an effort to distribute the return flow, ASDP is also optimising service diversions through BBJ Bojonegara Port for vehicles in groups VIB, VII, VIII, and IX from 23-29 March 2026. Meanwhile, other vehicles, including motorcycles, continue to be served through Merak Port. The Arrival-Unloading-Departure (TBB) pattern is applied dynamically to speed up loading and unloading and maintain ship rotation. In addition, optimisation of the Port Operational Control Center on the Merak-Bakauheni and Ketapang-Gilimanuk routes strengthens real-time operational control. ASDP urges the public to take advantage of the stimulus discount programme that is still widely available. Since 12 March 2026, the programme has been utilised by more than 1.06 million service users, with discounts of up to 100 percent on port service fees or about 21.9 percent of the total fare. Quoting Antara, Windy stated that until 21 March 2026 at 23:59 WIB, the realisation of stimulus absorption reached Rp14.5 billion or 40.84 percent of the target, with the number of service users reaching 62.36 percent. The difference in percentages is influenced by variations in vehicle types and routes. The programme applies to seven routes and 14 ports, namely Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Lembar-Padangbai, Kupang-Rote, Kupang-Kalabahi, Kupang-Hansisi, and Galala-Namlea. In addition, a single tariff policy at Bakauheni Port is in effect from 23 to 31 March 2026 to maintain smooth return flow. With high public enthusiasm, ASDP reaffirms its commitment to keeping crossing services running smoothly, safely, and comfortably, especially during the Lebaran 2026 return flow period.