REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SERANG -- Merak branch of State-owned Inland Waterway Transportation Service PT ASDP Indonesia in Banten has prepared 48 Roll On-Roll Off (Ro-Ro) ships to serve the 2015 Eid al-Fitri and Lebaran holidaymakers, stated company chief Yanus Lentanga.

"We have a total of 56 Ro-Ro ships, but 48 of them are ready for operations during the Lebaran holidays this year," Lentanga revealed here on Monday.

According to Lentanga, the 48 vessels prepared to serve the holidaymakers will be operated from five docks at Merak port in Banten province.

"Besides this, we will also provide three areas with special tents, respectively near the ticket counter, at the dock, and a rest area for the passengers of two-wheeler vehicles," he noted.

Lentanga added that while resting in the tents, the holiday travelers will also be provided free food and beverages to break their fast.

"In the tents, we will provide the holiday travelers with food and beverages to break their fast," he affirmed.

Lentanga had forecast the number of prospective ferry passengers crossing from Merak port to Bakauheni port in Lampung, Sumatra Island, during the 2015 Lebaran mass exodus to increase by three to six percent as compared to that recorded in the last year.

According to Lentanga, the number of pedestrian passengers at Merak port last year reached 140 thousand while the number of four-wheeled vehicles reached 13 thousand, and motorcycles, around 19 thousand.

"But, in general, we are now well prepared to handle the flow of passengers at Merak port this year," he noted.

In the meantime, PT ASDP President Director Danang S. Baskoro stated that in order to overcome the queuing up of vehicles at the ferry pier, the company will apply two different ticket rates during the day and night, starting four days before Lebaran (H-4) until one day after Lebaran (H+1).

"There will be a 100 percent difference in the rates applicable during day and night during H-4 to H+1, specifically for motorcycles and private cars; but until now, the amount to be increased is still under discussion, and there is no decision yet," Dadang said.

He noted that the Merak branch of PT ASDP Indonesia this year will take every effort to offer better services to the holiday travelers from Java island to Sumatra island through the Merak port.

"Our expectation is that this year's Lebaran holiday travelers can enjoy a smooth, comfortable, and safe journey to their respective native villages to share Lebaran joy and happiness with their family members and relatives," Dadan remarked.