JAKARTA - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) projects that around 5.8 million passengers will use the ferry transportation service during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming period.
The surge in mobility is expected to occur as the tradition of people's travel to their hometowns through a number of crossing routes increases.
Apart from passengers, the movement of vehicles during the 2026 Lebaran Transportation period is also predicted to reach around 1.4 million units or an increase of 9.3 percent compared to the previous period.
The projection comes from 15 crossing lanes that are under national surveillance with high mobility during the homecoming period.
The routes include Merak-Bakauheni, Ciwandan-Wika Beton, Bojonegara-Muara Pilu, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Padangbai-Lembar, Anchor-Lembar, Kayangan-Pototano, Kariangau-Penajam, Bajoe-Kolaka, Hunimua-Waipirit, Bira-Pamatata, Bolok-Rote, Bitung-Ternate, Ajibata-Ambarita, Telaga Punggur-Tanjung Uban, Tanjung Api-Api-Tanjung Kalian, and Nias-Sibolga.
ASDP Rio Lasse's Director of Operations and Transformation said his party had anticipated this increase in mobility through mature operational readiness so that crossing services would continue to run optimally during the homecoming period.
"The Lebaran Transportation period is an important momentum for the crossing service because of the increased mobilization of the community. Therefore, we ensure that all operational elements have been well prepared, ranging from fleet readiness to the quality of facilities and services at the port," said Rio in a press conference, in Jakarta, Thursday, March 12.
Nationally, ASDP serves 320 crossing lanes consisting of 91 commercial lanes and 229 pilot lanes. The service is supported by 222 ships operating through 37 ports managed by 27 branches.
The Java-Sumatra-Bali route is estimated to be the route with the highest mobility during the Lebaran period.
On the Java-Sumatra route, the number of passengers is projected to reach 1.56 million people or increase by 10.3 percent with 371,653 vehicles or an increase of 9.9 percent.
Meanwhile, the Sumatra-Java flow is estimated to reach 1.51 million passengers or an increase of 11.2 percent with 353,901 vehicles or an increase of 10.5 percent.
The Java-Bali route is predicted to serve 805,851 passengers or increase by 10 percent with 217,117 vehicles or an increase of 9.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the Bali-Java flow is estimated to reach 869,604 passengers or an increase of 9.5 percent with 248,161 vehicles or an increase of 8.7 percent.
To anticipate this surge, ASDP strengthened operational readiness by adding the Express II pier on the Pelabuhan lintasan
Merak - Bakauheni Port, provides 24-hour customer service, presents portable toilets, and improves lighting in the port area to increase the safety and comfort of service users.
Coordination with stakeholders is also strengthened through the implementation of a delaying system in the buffer zone, the implementation of geofencing, and the diversion of vehicle traffic through alternative ports.
In the midst of high homecoming mobility, ASDP also presents a more humanistic and inclusive travel experience, especially for families who bring children.
Through the "Children's Friendly Homecoming" program entitled "Holiday 2026", the result of collaboration with Dongeng Academy, ASDP presents a kids corner at Merak and Bakauheni Ports starting from H-7 to H+7 Lebaran.
The family-friendly space is equipped with various creative and educational activities such as a mini playground, board games, reading and creativity rooms, to the distribution of goodie bags, child-friendly snacks, and interactive activity books so that children feel comfortable during the waiting period for the journey.
As part of its support for government policies, ASDP also implemented a 100 percent discount stimulus for port service rates, which is equivalent to approximately 21.9 percent of the total crossing rate.
This policy applies to seven lanes and 14 ports for pedestrians and regular vehicles of groups II and IVA, as well as pedestrians and Express II.
In addition, the single tariff policy was implemented at Merak Port on March 13 at 12.00 WIB until March 20 at 15.00 WIB.
Meanwhile, at the Bakauheni Port, the policy applies from 00.00 WIB on March 23 to 24.00 WIB on March 29 for vehicles in groups I to VIA to ensure that the distribution of crossing services is more organized.
Meanwhile, ASDP Finance Director Bunga H Oktaviyanti explained that the stimulus policy for the tariff was a form of government support to maintain the affordability of public transportation during the Lebaran homecoming period.
"This stimulus is aimed at helping people so that the homecoming journey becomes more affordable while supporting smooth mobility during the Lebaran period. For ASDP, the most important thing is to ensure operational readiness, safety of navigation, and service quality is maintained," said Bunga.
Meanwhile, ASDP Corporate Secretary Windy Andale urged the public to buy tickets early through the official Ferizy channel.
"We remind the public to buy tickets through Ferizy because there is no ticket sales at the port. Avoid scalpers so as not to cause harm, and make sure that the data is filled in according to the identity to create a more orderly and smooth journey," said Windy.
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