Indonesian state ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry will refund the difference in ticket prices to passengers who booked Merak–Bakauheni crossings before the government introduced special Eid fare discounts, the company said, seeking to ensure fairness during the peak holiday travel season.
The policy comes as the government rolls out a fare stimulus and temporary single-tariff scheme ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr exodus, one of the world’s largest annual migrations, when millions of Indonesians travel home to celebrate the holiday.
Under the stimulus program, ASDP is waiving 100% of port service fees, equivalent to an average 21.9% of total ferry fares, effectively lowering ticket prices during the designated period.
In addition, a single-tariff policy will temporarily eliminate price differences between regular and express services on selected routes.
Refunds for Early Buyers
Passengers who purchased tickets for the busy Merak Port–Bakauheni Port route before the new policies took effect will be eligible for partial refunds covering the fare difference.
ASDP President Director Heru Widodo said the refund mechanism was designed to be “simple, transparent and accountable.”
“Service users who purchased tickets before the stimulus period and single tariff can request a partial refund through the ASDP Contact Center 191 or the official WhatsApp number,” Heru said in a statement. “We want to ensure the process is easy and provides certainty for the public.”
The Merak–Bakauheni crossing is a critical sea bridge between Java and Sumatra and typically experiences heavy congestion during the Eid homecoming period.
Scope of the Discount
The fare stimulus applies across 14 ports and seven strategic routes nationwide. It covers pedestrian passengers and Class II and IVA vehicles on regular services, as well as pedestrians and Class II vehicles on express services.
The temporary single-tariff policy will be implemented at Merak Port from March 13 at 1200 WIB until March 20 at 1500 WIB, and at Bakauheni Port from March 23 at 0000 WIB until March 29 at 2400 WIB.
During those windows, the equalized fares will apply to pedestrians and vehicles in Classes I, II, III, IVA, VA and VIA, a move aimed at distributing traffic more evenly during peak flows.
Digital Booking Emphasis
ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale said orderly travel during the holiday rush would also depend on passenger compliance with booking procedures.
“We urge the public to secure tickets before arriving at the port and to arrive according to the stated schedule,” Windy said, referring to the company’s Ferizy online ticketing platform.
She added that current data show 99.8% of ticket quota remains available.
By combining fare incentives with digital capacity management, ASDP said it aims to make the 2026 Eid travel period more orderly, equitable and comfortable for passengers navigating one of Indonesia’s busiest transport corridors.