Mudik, one of the most fascinating traditions in the country, is so\nmassive that millions of people willingly endure long and often\nexhausting journeys to reunite with their families during the Eid\nholiday.<\/p>\n
This year, an estimated 143.9 million people are expected to travel\nduring the Eid homecoming period, according to the Transportation\nMinistry. This figure is down 1.75 percent from the 2025 survey estimate\nof 146 million people.<\/p>\n
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the estimate was based\non a nationwide survey conducted by the ministry to assess public travel\nintentions and preferences.<\/p>\n
Officials said the data helps authorities prepare transportation\nservices and infrastructure ahead of the annual migration.<\/p>\n
To anticipate traffic congestion during the peak of the 2026 Eid\nhomecoming travel period expected on March 18, the government has\nprepared a series of measures.<\/p>\n
Among them is implementing a work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy to help\nmanage the surge in mobility and maintain smoother traffic conditions\nduring the holiday migration.<\/p>\n
The policy, set for March 16-17, is intended to spread travel\ndepartures over several days rather than concentrating them on a single\npeak day.<\/p>\n
The same arrangement will also apply on March 25-27, when millions of\ntravelers are expected to return to major cities after the holiday.<\/p>\n
Authorities expect the staggered work arrangement to encourage\nworkers to begin their journeys earlier and reduce traffic congestion on\nkey routes.<\/p>\n
Purwagandhi said the government has also prepared transportation\nfacilities and infrastructure to support smoother travel throughout the\nhomecoming season.<\/p>\n
Preparations include deploying personnel and managing transportation\nroutes through coordination among agencies responsible for traffic\nsafety and regulation.<\/p>\n
He noted that so far, everything has been running optimally and has\nbeen well prepared.<\/p>\n
The minister urged travelers to plan their journeys carefully,\nincluding by checking departure schedules, monitoring weather\nconditions, and following official traffic information provided through\nvarious channels.<\/p>\n
Early preparation, he added, could help travelers avoid unnecessary\ndelays and congestion during the peak period.<\/p>\n
Infrastructure and transportation<\/p>\n
To ensure safe and comfortable journeys for the public during both\nthe homecoming and return periods, the government has prepared a total\nof 36,660 transportation vehicles across various modes.<\/p>\n
The fleet consists of approximately 31,300 buses for land\ntransportation, 841 ships, and 254 ferries to support inter-island\npassenger mobility, 372 planes, and 3,893 train cars.<\/p>\n
The ministry is also conducting roadworthiness inspections on all\nmodes of transportation through several monitoring instruments such as\nramp checks and surveillance on various modes of transportation.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the government is also conducting a digital-based\nmonitoring system, covering transportation facilities such as terminals,\nports, airports, train stations, and ferry crossings that serve as\npoints of public movement.<\/p>\n
This digital system allows the government to monitor field conditions\nin real time and make quick decisions to handle congestion or\noperational disruptions.<\/p>\n
Among the busiest transportation hubs during the homecoming period\nare Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Merak-Bakauheni ferry\ncrossing, Pasar Senen railway station, and the Pulogebang bus\nterminal.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, according to Purwagandhi, private cars remain the most\npopular option with about 76.24 million travelers expected to use them,\nfollowed by motorcycles and buses.<\/p>\n
State-owned toll operator PT Jasamarga Transjawa Toll Road (JTT)\nrecorded 1.1 million vehicles leaving Jakarta as of Tuesday (March 17)\nevening.<\/p>\n
To anticipate the peak homecoming traffic, the Indonesian National\nPolice Traffic Corps (Korlantas) will begin implementing a national\none-way traffic control system from kilometer 70 of Cikampek to\nkilometer 414 of Kalikangkung on Wednesday (March 18) noon.<\/p>\n
In addition, they will also implement a contraflow system on the toll\nroad from kilometer 55 to kilometer 70 to regulate traffic flow heading\ntowards the Trans Java toll road.<\/p>\n
In terms of security, the Indonesian National Police is deploying\n161,243 joint personnel from various agencies to ensure security during\nthe Eid holiday.<\/p>\n
Health and safety<\/p>\n
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has reminded Indonesians\ntraveling for the annual homecoming exodus to remain cautious on the\nroad and maintain their health and safety during their journey.<\/p>\n
Travelers are also advised to use routes confirmed to be safe from\nnatural disasters and avoid traveling during heavy rain.<\/p>\n
Gibran expressed hope that the opportunity to gather with family and\nrelatives in their hometowns would bring warmth and happiness to those\ncelebrating.<\/p>\n
He expressed his hope that the moment of gathering with family and\nrelatives in their hometowns will bring warmth and happiness.<\/p>\n
In addition, the vice president conveyed his wishes for Eid al-Fitr\n1447 Hijri to Muslims in Indonesia, expressing hope that God\u2019s blessings\nand protection would continue to be bestowed upon the Indonesian\nnation.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia deploys 841 ships for 2026 Eid sea travel<\/p>\n
Related news: Mudik - Minister urges home-bound travelers not to use\nmotorcycles<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supporting-safe-and-convenient-eid-homecoming-1773845488", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }