Java–Sumatra 2026 Eid Exodus Traffic Begins to Increase: ASDP

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Exodus traffic through Merak Port in Java and Bakauheni Port in Lampung, Sumatra, has begun to increase ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2026.

The annual mudik Lebaran tradition, when millions of Indonesians travel to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday, is now underway, according to the state-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) President Director Heru Widodo.

Heru said that, based on data from the Merak Command Post, as of eight days before Eid (H-8), a total of 126,276 passengers had departed Java for Sumatra. The figure covers services at Merak Port, Ciwandan Port, and Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Port in Bojonegara, accumulated from ten days before (H-10) to eight days before (H-8) Eid.

“The total number of passengers decreased by 18.6 percent compared to last year, which reached 155,161 people. Meanwhile, the total number of vehicles also decreased by 13 percent from last year’s figure of 36,091 units,” Heru said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Monday, March 16, 2026.

He explained that the decline in passenger numbers was influenced by changes in travel patterns, with people choosing to depart earlier before the peak of the exodus. The wider variety of transportation options available this year also affected the distribution of travel flows.

Heru stated that ASDP has deployed 28 to 33 ships operating 24 hours a day during the Eid exodus period to ensure the continuity of ferry services. He added that the company is implementing the Arrive–Unload–Depart (AUD) operational pattern to expedite vehicle loading and unloading at the docks.

Meanwhile, crossings in the opposite direction are also showing movement. “As of eight days before Eid, 97,385 passengers and 23,018 vehicles have crossed from Sumatra to Java via Bakauheni Port. This movement is expected to continue increasing as we approach the peak of this year’s Eid al-Fitr exodus,” Heru said.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi assured the smooth operation of the Java–Sumatra ferry crossing ahead of the peak of the 2026 exodus. He said conditions at ferry ports in Banten are being monitored and remain safe and under control.

“Conditions at Bandar Bakau Jaya Port are reported to be busy but running smoothly, and the overall situation at the port is safe and under control. All trucks have entered the port area and are waiting their turn to board the ferry, so there is no buildup of vehicles,” Minister Dudy said. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)