OPERATING PATTERNS FOR THE JENEBERANG RIVER FERRY AS A SOLUTION TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION BETWEEN GOWA-MAKASSAR

Abstract

The rapid growth of the Gowa - Makassar urban area has increased daily mobility and intensified traffic congestion, particularly along the Gowa Twin Bridges corridor. The Jeneberang River ferry service offers an alternative transport mode; however, its operation remains suboptimal due to irregular departure patterns and the absence of a structured timetable. This study aims to formulate an optimal operating pattern for the Jeneberang River ferry service on the Gowa - Makassar route, including transport capacity, trip frequency, and operational scheduling based on user demand. A descriptive quantitative approach was employed using operational data collected over a 14-day observation period, representing normal weekday and weekend travel conditions without seasonal peaks or special events. The analysis covered passenger and motorcycle demand, sailing frequency, transport capacity, and operational scheduling based on vessel cycle times. The results indicate that demand follows a relatively stable commuter-oriented pattern. The theoretical service frequency was calculated at 60 trips per day; however, after accounting for operational allowances and crew rest periods, a more realistic frequency of 52 trips per day was obtained. Under this operating scenario, the ferry service can accommodate up to 1,040 passengers and 780 motorcycles per day. The utilisation rate of 47% shows that available capacity is not fully utilised. This condition is primarily associated with irregular scheduling and low service reliability rather than insufficient fleet capacity. A fixed 15-minute headway is operationally feasible, although a dynamic peak–off-peak schedule is recommended to better match demand fluctuations. The study concludes that service optimisation should focus on operational efficiency and schedule reliability rather than fleet expansion. The implementation of an integrated real-time scheduling information system is recommended to improve service predictability, increase user confidence, and strengthen the role of ferry transport in reducing traffic pressure along the Gowa - Makassar corridor.