H-2 Christmas 2022 Merak Port Is Crowded With Vehicles, Car Drivers: It's Been 2 Hours Before Ferry

The atmosphere of Merak Port on D-2 Christmas is crowded with private vehicles, trucks and buses in the parking lot to go to various areas on the island of Sumatra to celebrate Christmas and the New Year 2023. ANTARA/Mansur

BANTEN - The atmosphere of Merak Port in Banten is packed with private vehicles, trucks and buses on D-2 Christmas 2022. The density in particular occurred in the parking area of the port pier. "We are stuck in the parking lot of Merak Port for two hours, we cannot be crossed to Pier I," said a driver, Sitohang, when met at Merak Port, Banten, Friday, December 23, was confiscated by Antara. He revealed that the vehicle density, especially from the parking lot to enter the dock, while during the trip from Jakarta to the Merak toll gate, it went smoothly. "We hope that this afternoon it can be crossed to Bakauheni Port, Lampung," said Sitohang, who had a destination to Medan. Another driver, Christine admitted that she and her family were stuck in traffic around the parking lot at the Merak Harbor pier.

During the trip from Bandung to the toll gate, it went smoothly, but until entering the parking lot of Merak Harbor at 12.00 WIB, the ship to Bakauheni Port, Lampung was unable to get on board. "We are still stuck at pier 2 for almost two hours," said Christine. Meanwhile, ASDP Director of Commercial and Services M Yusuf Hadi said the peak of Christmas transportation at Merak Port occurred on Friday, December 23, around 16,200 units of vehicles. However, the capacity of 16,200 units of the vehicle is still accommodated and the category is normal. Currently, according to him, Merak Port services are relatively good compared to before, because ASDP implemented four schemes for smooth traffic flow. "I think in several other countries whose names are density at ports is normal, as in China, but now Indonesia's port is relatively good and there are no long queues," said Yusuf Hadi.