Grouping Policy Ticket Price for Passenger Ship Services PT. Dharma Lautan Utama Using the K-Means Clustering Method

Indonesia, with 75.7% of its territory consisting of vast seas, has witnessed a surge in sea transportation due to its convenience in connecting different regions. This trend has attracted numerous companies, with PT. Dharma Lautan Utama (DLU) emerging as a popular choice, providing passenger services across all Indonesian provinces. The diverse backgrounds of sea travelers, coupled with varying routes and passenger ages, contribute to the fluctuation in fare rates. PT. DLU, like other shipping companies, implements a pricing system based on age categories and travel routes. Given the diverse perspectives on the affordability of these fares, an analysis is deemed necessary to ascertain public perceptions. Utilizing the K-means clustering method, an evaluation is conducted to categorize whether the tariffs are considered expensive or cheap. The subsequent classification, employing variables such as price compatibility with service percentage and price compatibility percentage with infrastructure, reveals that a majority perceive the rates as expensive, with an accuracy rate of 53.00%. This outcome provides valuable insights for tariff evaluation, ensuring adherence to regulations while addressing public concerns.