AS we know, every Eid al-Fitr season, Panjang Port which is operated by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) or Pelindo Regional 2 Panjang successfully serves hundreds or even thousands of motorbike and truck travelers and other goods vehicles.
The Ciwandan Port to Panjang Port homecoming route has succeeded in 'breaking up' the influx of motorbikes and trucks during the Ied al-Fitr season. As on April 15 2023 and ending on May 2 2023, Panjang Regional Port 2 has served 2,545 vehicles and 3,377 passengers on the homecoming traffic.
Until the end of the homecoming and return flow period of Idul Fitri 1444 H in 2023, Pelindo Regional 2 Panjang Port has served 4080 vehicles and 5363 passengers using 4 ships, namely KMP Dobonsolo, KMP Mutiara Ferindo VII, KMP Mutiara Berkah I and KMP Mutiara Sentosa II with 20 trip trips during the home and return flow.
Panjang Port at the ebent has prepared facilities that can be used such as passenger waiting rooms, prayer rooms, lactation rooms, portable toilets, medical teams, ambulances and additional security personnel.
Apart from that, it also provides two parking areas, namely field 005 D with an area of 13,652 square meters for logistics transport vehicles and field 005 E with an area of 8,817 square meters specifically for two-wheeled vehicles which can accommodate a total of 2,150 homecoming vehicles.
As well as providing exemption from costs for piloting, towing, mooring and entry services (passing) for crossing vessels during the Eid transport period.
Passenger Pier
From the service of Panjang Port every Eid season, it is proof that it is appropriate for Panjang Port to also serve Passenger Transport across Java, Sumatra and vice versa.
So that passenger, 2-wheeled motorbike and truck transportation services do not 'overflow' and/or do not depend solely on Bakauheni Port.
There is an option for service users or for residents of Java and Sumatra to use the Panjang Harbor - Ciwandan Harbor crossing and vice versa.
As we know, currently class A 4-wheeled crossings, for example, already pay 482 thousand per unit, in terms of time it takes 3 to 4 hours from queuing at the Merak pier, boarding the Ro Ro ship, continuing to float at sea while waiting for the queue at the pier at Bekauheni, until disembarking from the Ro-Ro ship at Bakauheni port.
The incident also occurred on the opposite route, from Bakauheni Port to Merak Port, which also took 3 to 4 hours, even in certain cases it could take 5 to 6 hours.
The reason is that the Ro_ro ship floats first before docking at Bakauhyeni Harbor or Merak Harbor, the information is because of the queue at the dock. It's a shame for Class A car transport users and others.
So if Panjang Harbor - Ciwandan Harbor has a Passenger Pier, then there will no longer be 'Waiting for the Pier' from 3 hours to 6 hours.
By Saiful Anam, Editor of ISL News
