Banten. During the Eid homecoming travel period from April 3 to April 8, state-owned ferry operator ASDP Indonesia Ferry has recorded a total of 682,000 passengers crossing from Java to Sumatra.

"The number of passengers who have crossed is 682,000 passengers, or if compared to 2023, it has increased by 1 percent," said ASDP President Director, Ira Puspadewi, during a press conference at the Merak Port in Banten on Tuesday.

Moreover, the total number of vehicles that have crossed is recorded at 159,000 units, marking a 6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Ira highlighted that the company observed the highest surge in passengers and vehicles during the peak of the homecoming flow on Sunday, three days before Eid.

On that peak day, the total number of passengers crossing from Merak to Bakauheni reached 167,701. Additionally, the total number of vehicles crossing from Merak to Bakauheni was 42,145 units. With these numbers, ASDP has recorded the highest crossing record during this year's Eid transport season.

"The peak day was on Sunday, with the highest number of vehicles being more than 42,000. Compared to last year's around 39,000. Thus, this is the all-time highest or since ASDP was established, the highest day of crossings during this year's Eid transport season," explained Ira.

The congestion at Merak Port reached critical levels on Sunday, as explained by Ira. She attributed the severity of the congestion to many passengers arriving without adhering to the scheduled ferry departure times. Despite the intended ferry capacity of 25,000 vehicles to Sumatra on that day, the actual number of vehicles serviced surged sharply to over 42,000 units.

"Out of the 42,000 vehicles, 32 percent or 19,700 vehicles arrived on the same day, attempting to obtain tickets for immediate departure," Ira revealed during a press conference at Merak Port on Tuesday (9/4/2024).

Consequently, passengers who purchased tickets on the same day were unable to secure ferry tickets for immediate departure due to shortages. Nonetheless, as these passengers were already queued at the pier, ASDP had to accommodate them to prevent exacerbating the congestion further.

ASDP ensured that the peak of the Eid al-Fitr homecoming flow at the Merak Port has passed on April 6-7. The passenger trend has now decreased approaching Eid.

"The port is now quiet. Operations are very calm compared to 2-3 days earlier. Therefore, we are grateful for the various conditions and dynamics that we have observed," said Ira.

During the return flow period, ASDP once again urged the public to purchase tickets well in advance and arrive at the port on the scheduled return date to ensure smooth crossings.

The Transportation Ministry forecasts that 193.6 million individuals, approximately 71.7 percent of the nation's populace, will partake in the Eid exodus this year, marking a significant 50 percent rise from last year's exodus.