ASDP Transportation 2.6 Million Passengers During The Christmas And New Year Period

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT. Sungai Danau and Pemberangan (ASDP) Indonesia Ferry (Persero) served around 2.67 million passengers and 654 thousand vehicles during the Christmas and New Year 2023 period (Nataru) from Saturday 17 December or D-8 to Wednesday 4 January or D+10 on 10 nationally monitored routes throughout Indonesia.

Corporate Secretary of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Shelvy Arifin said the traffic of passengers and vehicles during the Nataru transportation period this year has increased compared to last year. Although not as high as when transporting Eid 2022, the characteristics remain the same, the increase in traffic in Nataru occurred following the declining conditions of the spread of COVID-19.

In this year's Nataru service, there are 10 nationally monitored tracks including Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang-Gilimanuk, Padangbai-Lembar, Kayang-Pototono, Hunimua-Waipriit, Tanjung Kelian-Tanjung Api-Api, Bitung-Ternate, Bajoe-Kolaka, Kupang-Rote, and Ajibata-Ambarita.

"In this Nataru period and at the same time as the revocation of PPKM status by President Joko Widodo, the public is enthusiastic about returning to year-end holiday trips, which also coincides with school children's holidays," said Shelvy, quoted from Antara, Monday 9 January.

Based on the recap of the 2022/2023 Christmas and New Year Transportation Post, it is recorded that ASDP has served 2.67 million passengers on 10 nationally monitored crossing routes during the Nataru Command Post period from D-8 to D+10, an increase of 40 percent when compared to the realization of the same production last year of 1.89 million passengers.

Meanwhile, the total number of vehicles was 654 vehicles, an increase of 22.6 percent compared to the realization of the same period last year of 533 thousand units.

The number of two wheels was 159 thousand units, an increase of 42.12 percent compared to the same period last year of 112 thousand units. And four-wheelers/more reached 495 thousand units, an increase of 17.44 percent compared to the same period last year of 421 thousand units.

"Our note is that the peak of the homecoming flow occurred on December 23, 2022 or D-2 with a total of 164,711 passengers, an increase of 51 percent compared to 2021 as many as 108,879 people. And the total number of vehicles was 40,160 units, an increase of 32 percent compared to last year's production realization of 30,511 units," Shelvy said in detail.

Meanwhile, the peak of backflow on January 2, 2023 or D+8 was recorded as 145 thousand passengers crossing or an increase of 18 percent compared to 2021 as many as 123 thousand people. And the total number of vehicles was 35,245 units, an increase of 8 percent compared to the realization of the same period last year as many as 32,594 units.

Shelvy revealed that the trend of using private cars is still the mainstay of service users in the midst of the Covid-19 endemic. Especially on the busiest streets of Merak-Bakauheni and Ketapang-Gilimanuk.

The average movement of people in Sumatra, Java and Bali that is easier by accessing Trans Java and Trans Sumatra toll roads makes the movement via land faster.

Specifically on the busiest Merak - Bakauheni route connecting Java and Sumatra, which is a barometer crossing throughout the country, ASDP noted that there were 717,566 passengers crossing from Java to Sumatra for the period H-8 to D+10, on the other hand from Sumatra to Java. 624,254 people were followed. Followed by a total of 159,131 vehicles from Java to Sumatra and the opposite from Sumatra to Java as many as 145,799 vehicles.

He also appreciated the solid cooperation between regulators and crossing operators, as well as all crossing service users so that crossing services at Christmas and New Year's transportation 2023 can run smoothly, safely, orderly, healthily and safely.

The highest appreciation to all service users, especially on the Merak-Bakauheni and Ketapang-Gilimanuk routes, who have prepared the best possible trip by buying tickets via online Ferizy, so that they get an easy, fast, safe and comfortable experience of going on a terminal or on a boat.

By purchasing tickets via online Ferizy and implementing quotas on the cargo of the served crossing, ASDP ensures that passenger traffic and vehicles can be distributed properly so as to minimize queues at ports both during the flow and return to this Nataru service.

Shelvy added, there are several records of experience in the 2023 Christmas and New Year's Transportation service yesterday, namely the occurrence of extreme weather conditions on several crossing routes managed by ASDP.

"For the sake of the security of shipping and the safety of all service users, ASDP is in accordance with the direction and order of the Port Authority to close services for a certain period of time. Starting from the Merak-Bakauheni, Ketapang -Gilimanuk, Kupang, Labuan Bajo and other areas," said Shelvy.

In addition to extreme weather, ASDP's priority regarding the safety and security of ferry transport services is vehicle accidents when loading on ferry transport ships including the crash of Over Dimensions Over Loading (ODOL) vehicles.

"This is of course a concern and a joint commitment from ferry stakeholders. All parties must be able to coordinate actively, and the important thing is also understanding SOPs by ship operators, so as to minimize potential or prevent incidents from occurring during service," said Shelvy again.

And to prepare for the 2023 Lebaran Transport service which lives in a matter of months, ASDP will immediately carry out intensive coordination with stakeholders starting from the Ministry of Transportation, Korlantas Polri, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Regional Government and others.

In addition, management will also accelerate the expansion of port capacity to increase vehicle capacity at ports and expand port entry areas.