JAKARTA - The government has prepared four crossing routes from Java Island to Sumatra to ensure the smooth flow of the Lebaran homecoming this year. Various facilities and infrastructure at the port are also ensured to be much better.
The readiness was confirmed after the Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi together with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno reviewed the Merak Port, Friday, March 13.
Dudy said that the crossing facilities in the Banten area for this year's Lebaran Transportation had been prepared better than the previous year, including by adding the number of boats.
"During the Lebaran 2026 transportation period, four ferry ports from Java to Sumatra will be provided with an increasing number of ships from the previous year. We hope that the flow of vehicles to Sumatra will be smoother," said Dudy in an official statement, Friday, March 13.
The four crossing routes prepared by the government are the Merak-Bakauheni ferry route, the Ciwandan-Wijaya Karya Beton ferry route, the Ciwandan-Bakauheni ferry route, and the BBJ Bojonegara-BBJ Muara Pilu ferry route. In addition, the Krakatau Bandar Samudera-Pelabuhan Panjang ferry route is also prepared as a backup plan in case of a surge in passengers and vehicles.
To anticipate vehicle density to the port, the Ministry of Transportation has also prepared a number of buffer zone points around the Merak area. Among them are on arterial roads such as the Munic Line and Cikuasa Atas parking areas, as well as on the toll road, namely the KM 13A, KM 43A, and KM 68A rest areas.
In addition, a buffer zone has also been prepared at a number of ports such as the Indah Kiat Port, the BBJ Bojonegara Port, and the Ciwandan Port.
Dudy estimates that the peak of the homecoming flow crossing from the Merak area will occur on March 18, 2026. However, the government also anticipates the potential for a spike in vehicles that could occur earlier.
"The peak flow prediction for the crossing from the Merak area on March 18, but we also anticipate that there may be a spike starting later tonight until March 15, 2026," said Dudy.
In addition to infrastructure readiness, the government also implements traffic arrangements for crossings through a Joint Decree (SKB) which regulates the division of ports based on vehicle axes and categories.
"We have arranged the distribution of ports based on axes and vehicle categories. Implementation must be carried out with full commitment, with discipline so that it can run smoothly and not interfere with the smooth flow of homecoming," he said.
In addition, Dudy also appealed to the public who would travel home through Merak Port and its surroundings to monitor information through official channels so that the trip could be better planned.
"We provide a live service that will present information to the public so that the public can plan their trip well," he said.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno hopes that the homecoming and return flow of Eid this year can be spread more evenly given the long holiday period.
"This March 13 has started the weekend, greeted with work from anywhere (WFA), followed by a joint holiday and New Year's Day. After that there is another WFA and only ASN will work on March 30. With this long span, we hope there will be a distribution of homecoming and return that is even," said Pratikno.
He added that synergy between stakeholders is needed so that the journey of the community during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming can take place safely, comfortably, and safely.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
