Remember! Don't choose the wrong port when crossing to Sumatra

Merak Harbor, Ciwandan, or Bandar Bakau Jaya? Which type of vehicle are you only allowed to cross from?

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Passengers disembark from their vehicle and head to the waiting room at the ferry crossing in Bakauheni Port, Lampung, en route to Merak Port, Banten, on Thursday (4/1/2024).

When the Lebaran 2024 homecoming flow begins, new regulations will apply for crossings from Java to Sumatra. Now, not all travelers can board a ship from Merak Harbor in Cilegon, Banten, to Bakauheni Harbor in Lampung. Some of them will be diverted to Ciwandan Harbor and Bandar Bakau Jaya Harbor in Bojonegara.

The three ports serve homebound travelers based on vehicle classification. To avoid docking in the wrong place, one must learn the applicable vehicle classifications. Remember, the vehicle classification at the port is different from the rules on the toll road.

Also read: ”Kompas” Photo Archives: Homecoming for Eid with Private Vehicles that Continue to Be in Demand

Suharto, General Manager of PT Angkutan Sungai, Danau, and Penyeberangan (ASDP) Indonesia Ferry Branch Merak, gave an example of category I vehicles on tol roads that differ from the port. On tol roads, category I refers to private cars, buses, and pickup trucks.

"At the port, these types of vehicles fall into class IV-A," he said, Tuesday (26/3/2024), at Merak Harbor.

Also read: Peak Homecoming Flow in West Java H-4, Traffic Engineering Prepared

Referring to the above difference, you are definitely mistaken if you buy a ship ticket based on the vehicle category that applies on the toll road. For example, if you are driving a sedan car and order a ship ticket for a category I vehicle.

In the port, Class I vehicles are bicycles and access must go through Ciwandan Port. However, drivers with sedan vehicles should actually board the ship from Merak Port. "To avoid confusion, we convey this so that the public does not make a mistake when buying tickets," said Suharto.

Also read: Straight lines tend to be empty, South Sumatra toll roads are prone to accidents

Merak Harbor serves pedestrian passengers, private cars, buses and pickup trucks.

Types of vehicles

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

A queue of motorbike travelers entering the ferry at Ciwandan Harbor, Cilegon, Banten, Wednesday (19/4/2023).

The operation of three ports during the exodus season refers to the Joint Decree (SKB) on Road Traffic Regulations and Crossings During the Flow of Exodus and Return of Eid-al-Fitr Transportation 2024/1445 H. This rule is applied during the period of April 3-9, 2024.

In the regulation, the Merak Port only serves pedestrians, private cars, buses, and pickups. Motorcycle and freight truck users are directed to the Ciwandan Port. Large-sized trucks, such as trailer trucks, must cross from the Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Port in Bojanegara.

Also read: Eid Homecoming, Extreme Weather Anticipated Merak-Bakauheni Crossing

The Director of Traffic at the Banten Regional Police, Commissioner Leganek Mawardi, explained that the BBJ Bojonegara Port is approximately 19 kilometers away from the East Cilegon Toll Road. According to him, the port is ready to accommodate the homecoming traffic. "We have conducted a survey and the road towards the port is already in good condition," he said.

Leganek has prepared anticipation if the three ports remain busy during the peak of homecoming traffic. One strategy is to delay the trip (delaying system). Travelers who are still on the toll road are delayed or slowed down by directing them to a rest area. The areas that have been prepared, among others, are at Km 43A and Km 68A.

Increased to Sumatra

KOMPAS/INSAN ALFAJRI

Head of the National Road Implementation Office, Wahyu Supriyo Winurseto (second from the right), and Mayor of Cilegon, Helldy Agustian (third from the right), visited the repair of Aat Rusli Road in Cilegon, Banten on Tuesday (March 26, 2024).

The potential movement of residents who will travel home for Eid al-Fitr in 2024, according to the Ministry of Transportation, is 71.7 percent or approximately 193.6 million people. This figure has increased compared to the Eid al-Fitr homecoming in 2023, which was 123.8 million people.

According to Cilegon Mayor Helldy Agustian, the increase in the movement of residents during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr holiday season has also increased the number of travelers to Sumatra. Therefore, the local government will do its utmost to assist with the smooth flow of holiday traffic. One of the efforts is to provide rest areas for motorcyclists and request medical staff in every health center to be on standby in case of traffic accidents.