Still Observed as Conducive, Peak Return Flow Predicted This Weekend

A balance between vehicle quantity and terminal capacity needs to be sought, in order to prevent vehicle build-up.

KOMPAS/YOSEPHA DEBRINA R PUSPARISA

Motorcycle-riding travelers parked their vehicles on the ship belonging to PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) at Bakauheni Port, Lampung, on Friday (4/12/2024). They will be departing for Merak Port, Banten.

BAKAUHENI, KOMPAS – Reverse flow begins to occur from Port Bakauheni, Lampung towards Peacock, Banten. The situation, which is still observed to be conducive, still needs to be anticipated if accumulation occurs at any time. The prediction is that the peak of the return flow will occur on Sunday (14/4/2024).

Travelers from Sumatra returned to Java via the sea route at Bakauheni Port, Lampung, on Friday (12/4/2024). Despite the start of the reverse flow, the port's condition is still observed to be conducive. They carried bags, suitcases, and some cardboard boxes onto the ship towards Merak Port, Banten.

Also read: The culprit behind long queues of cars in Merak: Homecomers arrive not on schedule

Car queues were seen since morning at around 10.00 AM, but did not occupy several kilometers of roads. Several sections of the queue were still empty. As time passed, the port became more crowded. However, it is still considered manageable.

One of the travelers, Fajar (33) said that he and his family had just started their journey homecoming on Lebaran or Wednesday (10/4 /2024). Departing at 07.00 WIB, the queue is still empty. However, as the day progresses, it gets busier.

"Today we returned to Cilegon, Banten because tomorrow we have to go to work. My estimation is that the peak of homecoming traffic usually occurs on H-3 and H+3 of Eid al-Fitr. Perhaps Sunday (14/4/2024) will be the peak of the homecoming traffic as Monday marks the start of work, even though the children are still on school holiday," said Fajar at Bakauheni Port, Lampung.

KOMPAS/YOSEPHA DEBRINA R PUSPARISA

A traveler from Cilegon, Banten, named Fajar is waiting to enter the waiting room for the ferry at Bakauheni Port, Lampung on Friday (12/4/2024). He predicts that the peak of the returning stream usually happens on the third day after Eid al-Fitr.

The Bakauheni port will be one of the crucial points for the holiday season's return flow this time. PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) estimates that the return flow will begin on Thursday (11/4/2024) with peak movement on Sunday (14/4/2024) or three days after Eid al-Fitr.

Ferry tickets will not be forfeited as long as the service user arrives at the port within 24 hours of the check-in time stated on the ticket

Ticket validity period

Corporate Secretary of ASDP, Shelvy Arifin, said that they are anticipating a buildup of homecoming travelers by extending the ticket expiration period up to 24 hours since their arrival at the port. This policy applies specifically during the post-Eid al-Fitr holiday period from April 11, 2024, to April 21, 2024.

"Service users don't need to worry if they experience traffic jams on their way to the port, because the ferry ticketwill not be forfeited as long as the service user arrives at the port within 24 hours of the check-in time stated on tickets," he said.

Previously, there was a buildup at Merak Port during the peak of the annual exodus on Sunday (7/4/2024). Travelers arrived early or not according to their departure schedule, causing long queues on the road leading to Merak Port. At that time, around 42,000 vehicles crossed over to Bakauheni Port, but 32% of them were not present according to schedule. (Kompas.id, April 9 2024).

Also read: Reverse flow is still quiet, traffic engineering on the Trans Java toll road is postponed

According to data from the Merak Post, the total number of passengers crossing from Java to Sumatra from H-7 to H day is recorded at 835,718 people. This figure is up 5% compared to last year's realization in the same period. The number of vehicles that have crossed is 196.28 units, or an 11% increase compared to the 2023 Eid al-Fitr holiday.

On the contrary, the total number of passengers crossing from Sumatra to Java during the same period was 313,965 people, increasing by 3 percent from last year in the same period. The accumulated number of vehicles increased by 6 percent with a total of 59,013 units.

KOMPAS/YOSEPHA DEBRINA R PUSPARISA

Passengers are queuing up to board the ferry managed by PT ASDP Ferry Indonesia (Persero) at Bakauheni Port, Lampung, on Friday (12/4/2024). The port situation is observed to be busy and smooth.

Operate additional ports

The government collaborates with ASDP as the port manager to facilitate the homecoming flow after Eid al-Fitr in 2024. Unlike the exodus, starting from Friday (12/4/2024) until Thursday (18/4/2024), the return service route can pass through the Panjang Port in Lampung towards Ciwandan in Banten. This policy applies to vehicles in Group I (bicycles) up to Group IV (cars).

Sherly stated that ASDP will operate three ships on the Bakauheni-Merak route. The passenger ships consist of KMP Panorama Nusantara, KMP ALS Elvina, and KMP Amadea on the Panjang-Ciwandan route.

Also read: 1 Million Vehicles Predicted to Enter Jakarta, These Three Points Are Prone to Traffic Jams

Services on the Panjang-Ciwandan route are for two-wheeled vehicles or motorbikes and small four-wheeled vehicles with quota restrictions. Meanwhile, crossing ticket services for Class VII-IX vehicles will be diverted via the Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Muara Pilu port.

"Each ship will serve one special trip on this route. "Buffer zones and delaying systems will also continue to be implemented to help officers screen tickets and loads," said Shelvy .

Until now, there are at least 66 ships ready to operate in Merak-Bakauheni. The quantity is the same as the homecoming flow. Additional travel frequencies and fleets will be adjusted by the Land Transportation Management Agency according to field conditions.

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Corporate Secretary of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero), Shelvy Arifin, gave a statement at the Executive Dock of Merak Port, Banten, on Saturday (6/4/2024).

Meanwhile, ASDP Bakauheni Branch believes in the readiness of port facilities and infrastructure. A number of facilities will be added to shorten queues.

"We are adding several counters or toll gates for vehicles so that there are no queues when vehicles enter the port. "Furthermore, vessels may be operated that are larger than usual during reverse flows," said General Manager of ASDP Bakauheni Branch, Capt. Rudi Sunarko.

Reflecting on the accumulation of vehicles in Merak, his party anticipates this by implementing a delay system at rest areas, including the Bakauheni toll road and the eastern route. The aim is to promote ticket purchases before entering a 4.2 kilometer (km) radius from the port.

Rudi continued, passengers who have not purchased tickets upon entering the port area will be directed to turn back. This only applies at Bakauheni.

Buffer zone or the implementation of a buffer zone will apply at six points, namely Km 20, Km 33, Km 49, Km 67, and Km 87. In total, it can accommodate around 900-1,000 vehicles.

KOMPAS

This is the cause of serious traffic jams on the toll road to Merak Harbor

Travel delaysto the port also apply to reduce the accumulation of vehicles at one time and place. "The density at Bakauheni Port will be temporarily detained until the port has subsided, after that vehicles will be released from the rest area and buffer zone," said Rudi.

To avoid traffic congestion during the yearly return trip rush, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi is encouraging travelers to return earlier. Several scenarios to anticipate congestion have also been prepared.

Also read: Pertamax Turbo and Electric Power Consumption Continues to Increase in the Homecoming Season

"If the return flow is different from the mudik, which is sentripetal or towards one point, namely Jakarta, not spreading like mudik. The government has prepared a scenario to anticipate it. I ask the police to enforce the law, including raiding illegal travel," said Budi.

Unbalanced

In the case of the accumulation of vehicles at Merak Port during the Eid al-Fitr homecoming flow, drivers even had to travel and queue for 14 hours. Although the traffic jam was also caused by homecomers who did not comply with departure schedules, they cannot be fully blamed.

According to a ship and port observer from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Raja Oloan Saut Gurning, traffic jams are the result of an increase in the quantity of vehicles that is not balanced by terminal capacity. Learning from past incidents, additional capacity needs to be prepared. This includes additional fleets, routes, schedules, and frequencies, mooring and unloading docks, as well as waiting buffer areas for vehicles.

ASDP needs to collaborate with the Port and Harbour Authority (KSOP) and other operators for the ferry crossings. The number of crossing demands and fleet provisions need to be balanced.

"Sustainable daily evaluations, even shorter than that, need to be carried out to estimate the movement of passenger traffic, particularly two- and four-wheeled vehicles, whether they are still below or already exceeding their capacity," said Saut.

In response to the homecoming travelers who do not comply with departure schedules, Saut believes that the situation should encourage ASDP to be more dynamic in preparing a quick scheme for changes. This includes involving various other operators who can support the capacity expansion of services.

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Saut continued, the option of requiring homecomers to turn back actually adds to the escalation on access roads to and from Merak. The certainty of services, albeit slightly longer, should indeed be carried out by ASDP.

"Efforts to make tickets valid for up to 24 hours, then provide a buffer zone, and a terminal purchase zone may be good. "However, it will not be meaningful if there is no increase in ship carrying capacity related to the number of ships, frequency or number of ships," said Saut.

The KSOP Ferry and Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation need to intervene by adding more fleets. Passengers should not be left waiting for the available fleet scheme.