More than 108,000 passengers and 353,000 vehicles are projected to cross from Sumatra to Java via the Bakauheni–Merak ferry route during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming season, ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry said.
The busy inter-island crossing, which links southern Sumatra and western Java, is expected to see a surge in traffic as millions of Indonesians travel to their hometowns for the Eid holiday.
Operational projections show that 108,952 pedestrian passengers and 353,901 vehicles will pass through Bakauheni Port bound for Merak during the holiday transport period.
To accommodate the anticipated demand, 57 ferries will operate on the main Bakauheni–Merak route, with 2,949 ferry trips scheduled throughout the service period.
Traffic this year is expected to increase compared with last year’s Eid holiday. Passenger traffic from Sumatra to Java is projected to rise 11.2%, while vehicle traffic is forecast to grow 10.5%. The number of ferry crossings is also expected to increase by about 7%.
Partogi Tamba, General Manager of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Bakauheni Main Branch, said ferry traffic arrangements during the Eid holiday period fall under the authority of regulators, while ASDP will focus on operational support.
“Ferry operating schedules, service capacity and traffic management are determined by the regulator, namely the KSOP or the Regional Ferry Transport Management Agency (BPTD). ASDP, as the operator, fully supports these policies through intensive coordination to ensure safe, orderly and smooth services during the Eid holiday,” Partogi said.
The Eid Transportation Post is scheduled to operate from March 13 to March 31, 2026, with traffic expected to peak as the period coincides with two major holidays: Nyepi Day on March 18–19 and Eid al-Fitr on March 21–22.
Collaboration across agencies
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said the success of Eid transport operations depends heavily on coordination between regulators, operators and other stakeholders.
“Synergy between regulators, operators, authorities and all stakeholders is essential to ensure ferry services run smoothly during the Eid holiday period,” Windy said.
To anticipate congestion during the post-holiday return flow, operational adjustments will be implemented in line with a joint government decree.
Between March 23 and March 29, 2026, Bakauheni Port will prioritize services for pedestrian passengers and smaller vehicles (Classes I to VIA) traveling to Merak.
Large logistics vehicles (Classes VB to IX) will be redirected through BBJ Muara Pilu Port to Bojonegara to ease pressure on the main crossing route.
Ticket sales for these larger vehicles will also be temporarily suspended at Bakauheni Port for departures from 12:00 a.m. on March 23 until 12:00 midnight on March 29. During this period, a single tariff policy equivalent to the regular fare will be applied.
Digital ticketing and operational readiness
ASDP is encouraging passengers to purchase ferry tickets in advance through the Ferizy platform, as ticket sales will not be available directly at the port.
“The principle is No Ticket, No Ride. Tickets must be purchased at least one day before departure and can be booked up to 60 days in advance through the Ferizy application or official channels,” Partogi said.
To support the Eid transport operations, ASDP has deployed 786 operational personnel and strengthened supporting infrastructure, including buffer zones, vehicle delaying systems, CCTV monitoring, 24-hour health services and optimized port operations.
ASDP also urged travelers to plan their journeys early and follow operational guidelines to ensure their homecoming trips remain safe, orderly and comfortable.