Pelni's Managing Director Calls Passengers Up 49 Percent Because There Is A 50 Percent Ticket Discount

President Director of PT Pelni Tri Andayani. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Pelni Tri Andayani said the stimulus program in the form of a 50 percent discount on ship ticket prices managed to increase the number of passengers by 49 percent during the 520 June 2025 period compared to the previous year.

He explained, in the same period in 2024, ticket sales were recorded at 208,000 tickets, while this year it jumped to 330,000 tickets thanks to economic stimulus policies.

"Yes, earlier if we looked at from June 5 to June 20 last year (2024) compared to this year (2025) from 208,000 to 310,000 tickets, it increased by around 49 percent, that's ticket sales," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, June 20.

According to him, the significant increase in the number of passengers is proof that the discount on sea transportation rates is very effective in encouraging community mobility and increasing the use of Pelni ship services.

"This was like I said, 'It's a school holiday that feels like Eid' because everything is increasing," he said.

Pelni noted that the absorption of the economic stimulus budget so far has reached 40 percent in 15 days since the 50 percent ship ticket discount program took effect on June 5, 2025.

You explained that the stimulus is part of the President's policy of IDR 24 trillion, with an allocation of IDR 134 billion for Pelni to support national sea transportation connectivity. A tariff discount of 50 percent is applied to all Pelni ship routes until July 31, 2025.

In a short time, although the new program runs in a quarter of the total duration, the budget quota has been absorbed by almost half, indicating that this program is very effective in encouraging community mobility.

Pelni also received dispensation from the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) to operate all of its ships with an average occupancy of 52 percent to serve a surge in passengers.

He emphasized that all operations still prioritize the safety, security, and comfort aspects of passengers even though the number of passengers increased significantly during the discount program.

Furthermore, he said, ticket discounts aim to maintain national economic growth while at the same time encouraging increased public consumption through the even movement of people to the regions.

The surge in the number of passengers is believed to drive the local economy, because of the increasing travel activities that directly contribute to the circulation of money in various parts of Indonesia.

Although the number of passengers on board the ship has increased significantly, you affirm the Company's commitment to ensuring shipping safety.

"Safety first, always. Safety, security, and comfort, the three main things we always take care of," you said.

A passenger who wants to visit his parents in Batam Eri (43) said he was happy to see various changes in the ship service owned by PT Pelni at this time.

As soon as he heard information about the ship's ticket discount of 50 percent, Eri immediately checked and immediately bought a ticket because it proved cheaper and very profitable for passengers like himself.

Since 2002, Eri has used Pelni's ship services, traveling from Yogyakarta to Tanjung Priok Port and then to Batam, usually during holidays with his college friends.

Remembering past experiences, he saw a very significant difference, according to him, the condition of the ship is now much cleaner, more comfortable, and the services provided feel more professional and organized.

The journey, which used to feel tiring and packed, is now calmer and safer, especially since the presence of an e-boarding system that replaced the ship's entry process which had worried her in the past.

Bagi Eri yang kini bepergian bersama kedua anaknya, kehadiran digitalisasi mulai dari pembelian tiket hingga proses naik kapal membuat seluruh pengalaman berlayar menjadi jauh lebih mudah dan menyenangkan.

"Lebih enakan sekarang. Sekarang pelayanannya jauh lebih bagus. Terus masuknya juga lebih enak. Kalau dulu kan desak-desakan, saya sampai ngeri, susah soalnya, pernah kena copet juga," kata Eri.

For Eri, who is now traveling with his two children, the presence of digitalization, starting from purchasing tickets to the process of boarding ships, makes the entire sailing experience much easier and more enjoyable.

"It's better now. Now the service is much better. Then the entry is also better. In the past, I was pressed, I was horrified, it's hard because I've been hit by pickpockets too," said Eri.