- Yandi Deslatama (Serang)
Banten – Merak Port will be a crucial point in the 2024 Eid homecoming flow. Therefore, the Government reminds ASDP Indonesia Ferry as the operator can serve well the travelers on the Sunda Strait route.
Merak Port is a link between Java Island and Sumatra Island, so it's of special concern to the central government, because it is an important point as well as a congestion point in the 2024 Lebaran homecoming flow.
"We prioritize this because the Merak Bakauheni crossing is a crucial point," Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said at the Merak Executive Pier, Cilegon, on Saturday.
Moreover, the Director General of Land, Sea and Air Transportation has reported the latest information and predictions.
Therefore, the Ports of Merak and Bakauheni Lampung are continuously monitored by the central government for the smooth flow of Lebaran 2024 homecoming.
Antrean kendaraan pemudik di pelabuhan Merak Banten
- Yandi Deslatama (Serang)
Moreover, based on government predictions, there is a 50 percent increase or around 193 million Indonesians who will go home to Sumatra Island. One of the routes crossed is at Merak Port.
"We will ensure that the visibility ratio is maintained compared to last year, if possible lower. So other facilities must be added, so that the increase in crossings does not make our occupancy ratio very critical," the Director General explained.
Indah Kiat Pier, Cilegon, Banten, which is adjacent to Merak Port, will be used as a parking lot for travelers' vehicles before crossing to Bakauheni Port. Later, a special door will be made for vehicles to enter Merak Port.
Then the Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Port will be used as a special crossing location for large vehicles. So as not to disturb travelers at Merak and Ciwandan Ports.
However, strict checks will be carried out, so that vehicles crossing from BBJ are not over-dimensional and overloaded.
"Because Indah Kiat has a parking lot, there will be a direct door to the Merak pier, so that facilities for those who will cross to Bakauheni through Merak can be overcome,"
If the Merak and Ciwandan Ports are full, travelers will be accommodated first in the bufer zone that will be prepared. So the public is asked to be patient and obey the instructions of officers in the field.
"We make sure that those who have tickets that day will cross and if they are held in a certain bufer zone, they are not told to return, but wait because Merak Port is still full and wait until it can be filled and then crossed," the Director General concluded.
