The Indonesian government has implemented new cross-strait regulations from Java to Sumatra for this year's Lebaran homecoming. Motorcyclists and trucks will not be allowed to use Merak Port but instead Ciwandan Port from April 15th to May 1st, 2023.
Cars and buses traveling from Java to Sumatra during the same period can still use Merak Port.
This regulation aims to reduce congestion at Merak Port, a common occurrence during the Lebaran homecoming.
"Ciwandan is an addition to Merak. Merak has 7 ports (docks) and Ciwandan has 5 ports (docks)," said Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, as quoted from Kompas.com on Tuesday (4/4/2023).
So, what is the travel distance from Jakarta to Ciwandan Port and Merak Port?
The following data was compiled by Databoks.co.id using Google Maps regarding the distance and travel time from Jakarta to Ciwandan Port and Merak Port:
Jakarta - Ciwandan Port
* Motorcycle:
* Distance: 125 kilometers (km)
* Travel time: 3 hours 36 minutes
* Car:
* Distance: 116 kilometers (km)
* Travel time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Jakarta - Merak Port
* Motorcycle:
* Distance: 124 km
* Travel time: 3 hours 44 minutes
* Car:
* Distance: 114 km
* Travel time: 1 hour 53 minutes
Previously, the Ministry of Transportation estimated that 123.8 million people would participate in the 2023 Lebaran homecoming. This figure is a 44.79% increase from the 85.5 million people who went home for Lebaran in 2022.
The most popular mode of transportation this year is private cars, with 27.32 million people using them. This is followed by motorcycles (25.13 million people), buses (22.77 million people), trains (14.47 million people), and rental cars (9.53 million people).