The Hours Of Goods Transport Enforced Cross Merak-Bakauheni In The Face Of Christmas And New Year

Vehicles from Merak Port went smoothly on board the ship to Bakauheni Port, Lampung. (ANTARA-HO-ASDP)

JAKARTA - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry and stakeholders limit the operation of freight transportation to optimize the smooth running of crossing traffic, including on the Merak-Bakauheni route during the Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 transportation periods.

ASDP Corporate Secretary Shelvy Arifin said the government had set restrictions on the operation of goods transport vehicles through a Joint Decree (SKB) on Road Traffic and Crossing Regulations.

This restriction applies to vehicles transporting goods with an amalgamation of three or more, vehicles with a transport train, as well as vehicles carrying mining products, excavated materials and building materials.

The vehicles that are excluded include transporting fuel oil and gas (BBM/BBG), basic commodities, livestock, fertilizers, cash, disaster management goods and free motorbikes.

In the SKB issued, this step aims to prioritize passenger vehicles and ensure smooth travel.

"ASDP supports the distribution of essential needs through excluded goods transportation accommodation," he said in a written statement, Sunday, December 22, which was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, in the SKB, restrictions on goods transport vehicles have been regulated as follows:

Friday, December 20, 2024 from 00.00 to Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 24.00 local time.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at 00.00 to 24.00 local time.

Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 06.00 to Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 24.00 local time.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at 06.00 to 24.00 local time.

To anticipate the surge in movement flows, a port service operation pattern is enforced under three conditions:

1. Normal: Operating 30 ships.

2. Solid: Strengthening the fleet to 31 ships

3. Very Congested: Strengthening the fleet to 33 ships.

In addition, mitigation measures have also been prepared which include:

1. Transfer of class VII-IX trucks to Bojonegara BBJ. Utilization of buffer areas in Tuks Indah Kiat-Merak for four wheels.

2. Transfer of two-wheeled vehicles and goods to Ciwandan Port.

In accordance with discretion from the Police on Saturday, December 21, the ferry ticket reservations for VIB, VII, VIII, and IX regular vehicles at Merak Port have been closed on the Ferizy application. The diversion is as follows:

1. Group VIB & VII: Ciwandan-Wika Beton (can be ordered at Ferizy).

2. Group VIII & IX: BBJ Bojonegara-BBJ Muara Pilu (message via Ferizy with the origin of the port of Ciwandan and the destination of Wika Beton).

During a working visit to Merak Port on Saturday, December 21, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi conveyed the importance of managing the flow of vehicles and passengers across Merak-Bakauheni as a crucial route connecting Java and Sumatra. The Minister of Transportation directly reviewed the conditions at Merak Port and also Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Bojonegara as a bantuan port on Saturday, December 21 in the morning. "Then Merak-Bakauheni is a strategic point that must be managed properly, both in terms of facilities, fleets of ships, as well as regulating the flow of vehicles and passengers," said Minister of Transportation Dudy.

During a working visit to Merak Port on Saturday, December 21, Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi conveyed the importance of managing the flow of vehicles and passengers across Merak-Bakauheni as a crucial route connecting Java and Sumatra.

The Minister of Transportation directly observed the conditions at Merak Port and also Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Bojonegara as the port of assistance on Saturday, December 21 in the morning.

"Then Merak-Bakauheni is a strategic point that must be managed properly, both in terms of facilities, fleets of ships, as well as regulating the flow of vehicles and passengers," said Minister of Transportation Dudy.

Shelvy emphasized that ASDP is committed to ensuring excellent service during Nataru by prioritizing safety and comfort aspects. This step is carried out through intensive cooperation with regulators such as KSOP and BPTD, as well as the operation of a large fleet of ships according to operational standards.

"We continue to monitor conditions on the ground and update information to the public. We also urge service users to plan trips early and be aware of extreme weather that can affect services," Shelvy said.

With the support of the ticket reservation system through Ferizy, ASDP ensures that the trip is more comfortable without long queues. In fact, in force majeure conditions such as bad weather, tickets can be extended for up to 24 hours for passenger convenience.