ASDP Says 28 Percent Of Homecomers At Merak Port Don't Have Crossing Tickets

Merak Port (ANTARA/Mansur)

BANTEN - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) noted that there are 28 percent of travelers who do not have crossing tickets. However, they still point to Merak Port, Banten.

PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry's Corporate Secretary, Shelvy Arifin, said that many prospective travelers did not buy tickets first. Thus making queues outside the port and shelter area.

"There are 28 percent of service users who come without a ticket and still point to the port and buy tickets for the next 2 days," Shelvy said in a statement, Sunday, April 7.

Shelvy predicts that the peak of the homecoming flow will occur today or D-3 Eid al-Fitr. Even based on data received, the crossing ticket has been sold out until April 9.

"According to predictions, April 6 and 7 are the peak days of homecoming. Tickets until April 9 have been sold out," he said.

Previously, it was reported that the queue waiting to board the ferry of the executive dock had been felt by the VOI.ID 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.ID 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.