ASDP Merak has announced that they will be facilitating Eid travelers with shuttle bus services. With the upcoming Eid holiday, many people will be travelling back to their hometowns to celebrate with their families. For those travelling from Java to Sumatra or vice versa, the Merak port is a popular point of departure. ASDP Merak is therefore introducing shuttle bus services to accommodate the high demand during this festive period. In this article, we will take a closer look at this initiative and what it means for travelers.
In Merak, Banten, state-run ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia has announced that it will provide a free shuttle bus service from Cilegon Station to Merak Port and vice versa. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy confirmed that the service will start on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, and assured the public that the service will run smoothly. The ASDP is implementing the shuttle bus service because of the ongoing revitalization of the Merak Port area, which has resulted in the closure of Merak Station. Passengers on the Rangkasbitung-Merak railway route will now have to get off at Cilegon Station. Effendy apologized to the users of railway transportation services who have been negatively impacted by the port’s revamping.
The objective of the Merak Port area development is to improve and ensure smooth mobility of Eid al-Fitr travelers during the homecoming and returning periods, according to Effendy. He emphasized that the improvement of the facilities and infrastructure of Merak Port, as well as the operation of Ciwandan Port in Banten Province, will ensure smoother implementation of this year’s exodus activities, in line with President Joko Widodo’s directives. This year’s Eid al-Fitr holiday is expected to fall on April 22nd, with the joint leave period set between April 19th and 25th.
Effendy predicted that the number of travelers during the Eid exodus would reach 123 million in 2023, which is up from 85 million in 2022. As a result, Ciwandan Port will offer shipping activities for two-wheeled and six-wheeled vehicle users to Bakauheni Port and Panjang Port in Lampung Province during the holiday. By doing so, the government hopes to reduce the high traffic at Merak Port and facilitate smoother exodus activities.
In addition, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has instructed all of his ranks to help disseminate the operation of Ciwandan Port to the public. Prabowo has also advised his subordinates to place traffic signs and directions to guide travelers to the port since it usually serves as a back-up port.
In summary, PT ASDP Indonesia will provide a free shuttle bus service from Cilegon Station to Merak Port and vice versa. The service will be implemented because of the ongoing revitalization of the Merak Port area. This year, the government expects the number of travelers during the Eid exodus to reach 123 million, necessitating the use of Ciwandan Port for shipping activities. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has directed his subordinates to help disseminate information about the port’s operation and to guide travelers to the port through the use of traffic signs and directions.
