We apologize to the users of railway transportation services who have been disturbed by the revamping of the Merak Port.
Merak, Banten (ANTARA) - The Merak branch of state-run ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia will provide a shuttle bus service from Cilegon Station to Merak Port and vice versa, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy has said.

“We will ensure that the provision of the shuttle bus service from Cilegon Station to Merak (Port) will run smoothly," he added at Merak Port here on Tuesday.

The service will be provided for free starting Saturday (April 15, 2023). The ASDP will implement the service because Merak Port is being revitalized, causing Merak Station to be temporarily closed.

Hence, train passengers on the Rangkasbitung-Merak railway route will have to get off at Cilegon Station.

"We apologize to the users of railway transportation services who have been disturbed by the revamping of Merak Port,” the coordinating minister said.

The development of the Merak Port area aims to improve and ensure smooth mobility of Eid al-Fitr travelers during the homecoming and returning periods, he added.

"We guarantee that improving the facilities and infrastructure of Merak Port as well as operating the Ciwandan Port (in Banten Province) will ensure better implementation of this year's exodus activities, according to President Joko Widodo's directives," he noted.

This year’s Eid al-Fitr is estimated to fall on April 22. The government has set the joint leave period from April 19 to 25.

Earlier, Effendy said that the number of travelers during the Eid exodus is expected to increase to 123 million from 85 million in 2022.

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, he added.

He said he expected that the attempt will reduce the high traffic at Merak Port and make the exodus activities smoother.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has asked all of his ranks to help disseminate the operation of Ciwandan Port to the public since the port usually only serves as a backup port.

He also instructed his ranks to place traffic signs and directions to help travelers reach Ciwandan Port.

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Translator: Mansyur Suryana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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