Indonesia’s state ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry and the national police traffic corps have tightened operational and traffic management measures ahead of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr exodus on the country’s busiest sea crossing between Java and Sumatra.
The Merak–Bakauheni route, linking Merak Port and Bakauheni Port, is a critical corridor for millions of homebound travelers during the annual holiday.
Inspector General Agus Suryo Nugroho, head of the traffic corps, inspected port facilities and access roads in Banten and Lampung on Thursday to assess readiness and coordinate traffic flow management.
“This year, we have added a new port, Sumur Makmur Abadi Port. We hope vehicle distribution will be faster and ferry traffic smoother,” Agus said during the visit.
Authorities have expanded capacity by activating Sumur Makmur Abadi Port to handle roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels and landing craft tank (LCT) ships serving cargo trucks and motorcycles.
ASDP said it will deploy between 28 and 33 vessels daily on the Merak–Bakauheni route during peak travel, with additional sailings on alternative crossings including Ciwandan–Wika Beton and Bojonegara–Muara Pilu.
The operator will implement an “Arrive–Unload–Departure” system, allowing vessels to immediately unload and return to sea to accelerate turnaround times and reduce vehicle queues.
A coordination meeting involving transport ministry officials, port authorities and other stakeholders was held in Merak to align inter-agency traffic control strategies before peak passenger flows.
ASDP said it has optimized its Port Operation Control Center for real-time monitoring and will provide 24-hour customer service, additional express piers and supporting facilities such as portable toilets and improved lighting.
Fare Discounts and Single Tariffs
The government will implement a temporary 100% discount on port service fees — equivalent to about 21.9% of total ferry fares, across 14 ports and seven strategic routes during the exodus period.
A single-tariff scheme will also apply for a limited period at Merak and Bakauheni ports, eliminating price differences between regular and express services to support more even passenger distribution.
ASDP urged travelers to purchase tickets in advance via the Ferizy application or official channels and to ensure personal data is accurately entered to support passenger manifest verification and emergency response readiness.
The company said the measures aim to ensure a safer, more orderly and controlled transportation system during the Eid holiday surge.