"These free tickets are expected to facilitate residents, especially those living in remote regions or small islands, to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families," Ministry Director of Maritime Traffic and Transportation Budi Mantoro noted in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He noted that the free sea travel program will involve three national ferry operators, running from mid- to late December 2025.
"This program serves as a testament to our ministry's commitment to providing access to safe, comfortable, and affordable sea transport services to the public," Mantoro affirmed.
He added that the free sea travel initiative is set to cover key routes across Indonesia’s eastern islands, including the Kupang–Rote line in East Nusa Tenggara Province, as well as the Ambon–Manado, Manado–Sofifi, and Tulehu–Amahai routes in the Maluku and Sulawesi regions.
Furthermore, residents can obtain free tickets for voyages in Papua and West Papua Provinces, covering the Sorong–Waisai, Jayapura–Kasoaweja, Manokwari–Wasior, and other ferry routes.
Mantoro highlighted that prospective passengers must present valid identification documents, such as ID cards, driver’s licenses, or household registration certificates when registering, with each applicant allowed to register up to four people in the same household record.
He further said that details on ticket availability, schedules, and registration are available from the three ferry operators involved in the program: PT Sakti Inti Makmur, PT Dharma Indah, and PT Belibis Papua Mandiri.
"We encourage citizens to apply promptly, given the limited availability of tickets. Please ensure your data is valid to ease verification," he added, emphasizing safety in sea travel.
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Translator: M. Harianto, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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