The ticket price in the afternoon could be cheaper
Merak, Banten (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi recommended a price disparity for tickets of ships from Merak to Bakauheni during the 2022 Eid al-Fitr homecoming while urging to make the afternoon tickets cheaper than the night-time tickets.

Following directions from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) regarding the call to depart early for homecoming, the ministry simulated the calculation of volume versus capacity of the ship, as the number of passengers will be increased by 40 percent during the homecoming period. Hence, the ministry had put forth two recommendations.

"The first one is to have a disparity in the ticket price for ships bound from Merak to Bakaheuni and vice versa. The ticket price in the afternoon could be cheaper," the minister noted during his inspection at Merak Port in Cilegon, Banten Province, Tuesday.

The second recommendation is adding two existing piers at the Indonesian Port or Pelindo by the transportation ministry. The additional piers will have similar volume as the existing pier to accommodate more passengers.

"In addition, passengers planning to take the night crossing can buy the ticket at the afternoon prices," Sumadi remarked.

Based on his observation, Sumadi pointed to an increase in the number of afternoon passengers from Merak to Bakauheni. He remarked that this phenomenon had become a constant problem at Merak Port.

"However, I lauded the hard work of all stakeholders, specifically the collaboration between state-run ferry operator PT ASDP and the regional police," he stated.

Based on data released by the ASDP Merak Port, seven days prior to Eid al-Fitr (D-7), the number of passengers heading to Bakauheni Port in Lampung was recorded at 44,281 comprising 2,054 pedestrians and 42,227 passengers with vehicles.

Meanwhile, the number of vehicles heading to Bakauheni from Merak was recorded at 9,837.

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Penerjemah: Aji Cakti, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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