Homecoming For Eid 2024, Merak-Bakauheni Crossing Sets The Longest Queue Record

BANTEN- Infectious queues waiting to board the ferry of the executive dock have been felt by the VOI team since 12 pm WIB before 40 km to Merak Port.

The journey, which began with Rawamangun, East Jakarta on Saturday night, April 6, started at 9.00 WIB and finally arrived at the crossing pier at 5.30 am.

However, waiting for the ship to cross feels longer considering the length of the queue, which was finally made a zigzag route by the port authorities. At exactly 13.10 WIB, the ship finally departed for Bakauheni Port.

What the VOI team felt was also felt by several other four-wheeled vehicle users. Mukhlis, for example, the travelers to Padang, West Sumatra, started their journey from Koja, North Jakarta, right after breaking the fast.

"More severely this time, even in the past it was also severe when 2022 after COVID-19, all went home but not so far in line with the ship. Apparently, all at this year's homecoming," he said while chatting on the top floor of the ship when they both ordered coffee.

No different from Mukhlis, Ardi, the traveler to Bandar Lampung, also did not expect that he would be queuing on his ship.

"My sister and her family returned early Friday, she said they had a pier at 8 pm and the next day it was Bakauheni at 1 pm. I think Saturday was looser or even worse," he concluded.

Based on crossing data compiled by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo), from Wednesday, April 3 to Saturday, April 5, 2024 at 16.00 WIB, 30,414 people had crossed.

This figure increased by 19,221 people when compared to the accumulated data on the number of crossings on Friday, April 5, 2024, which reached 11,193 people.

In addition, Pelindo also noted that 23,832 vehicles had also crossed to Bakauheni Port. Two-wheeled vehicles are still vehicles that dominate the crossing to Sumatra Island.