Eid al-Fitr Return Flow Increases Significantly

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The 2026 Eid al-Fitr return flow from Sumatra to Java has begun to experience a significant increase. Amidst the high public mobility following the Eid al-Fitr holiday, PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), a state-owned enterprise engaged in ferry transportation services and managing ferry ports for passengers, vehicles, and goods throughout Indonesia, ensures that all ferry services continue to run smoothly, safely, and under control.

According to data from the Eid al-Fitr Transportation Post, cumulatively from March 22 to March 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM, a total of 327,646 passengers returned to Java. This number is equivalent to 36.4% of the total number of passengers during the homecoming flow, which reached 898,864 people.

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles returning from Sumatra to Java reached 89,389 units, or approximately 37% of the total number of vehicles during the homecoming period, which reached 239,920 units. This data indicates that the return flow will continue and is expected to increase in the coming days.

ASDP President Director, Heru Widodo, stated that the company continues to intensively monitor developments in the return flow and optimize all aspects of its services. "As the return flow begins to form, we ensure that ferry operations continue to run smoothly, both in terms of fleet readiness and service to users. Coordination with all stakeholders continues to be strengthened to ensure passenger and vehicle movements remain under control," he said, as quoted in an official statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

To anticipate the surge, ASDP has prepared several strategic measures. These include ship operations adjusted to density levels, contingency planning readiness through the provision of tugboats and technicians on standby 24/7, and the implementation of an Arrival-Unload-Departure system to expedite service times during peak periods.

In addition to ensuring smooth operations, ASDP also provides various additional facilities to enhance the comfort of service users at the port. ASDP Corporate Secretary, Windy Andale, explained that the available facilities include food and beverage stalls, a souvenir center, air-conditioned rooms, massage chairs, sofas, vending machines, and a children's play area.

"We are also introducing a child-friendly homecoming program as a form of commitment to providing a more comfortable journey for families. In the service tents we have prepared, young passengers can rest or play for free while waiting for boarding, accompanied by trained staff. Children can play games, color pictures, sing songs, listen to stories, and receive gifts as a token of our concern," she explained.

As of Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM WIB, approximately 150 children had taken advantage of the program. During the two days after Eid al-Fitr, March 24, 2026, the number of movements from Sumatra to Java reached 128,821 passengers, a 51% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

The total number of vehicles crossing reached 36,499, a 63% increase. Meanwhile, movement from Java to Sumatra recorded 47,052 passengers, a 24.7% increase, with the total number of vehicles reaching 10,110, a 20.4% increase.