12,000 Vehicles Return to Jakarta Since Yesterday, Government Urges WFA for Mudik Travellers
The peak of the reverse Lebaran flow in 2026 is predicted to begin on 24 March 2026, as tens of thousands of vehicles have already started moving towards Jakarta since Monday (23/3) yesterday. The government is also urging the public to optimise work from anywhere (WFA) to avoid rushing back to Jakarta.
PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol (JTT) estimates that around 285,000 vehicles will return to the Jabodetabek region via toll roads starting tomorrow. Signs of increasing traffic flow have also been evident since yesterday.
Based on traffic data, during Shift 1 on 23 March 2026, 12,624 vehicles were recorded passing from the East Trans Java direction towards Jakarta through the Cikampek Utama Toll Gate. This figure is up nearly 50 percent compared to normal conditions, which only see 8,442 vehicles.
To anticipate this surge, JTT has prepared several on-site measures. At the Cikampek Utama Toll Gate, 22 toll booths are operated specifically to serve vehicles heading to Jakarta. Additionally, extra access via GT Cikampek Utama 8 has been prepared to help alleviate congestion.
Corporate Secretary & Legal of PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol, Ria Marlinda Paallo, stated that these efforts are aimed at ensuring more even vehicle distribution and preventing pile-ups at single points. “This step is expected to distribute vehicle flow more evenly and minimise the potential for queues at toll gates,” she added in a statement received on Tuesday (24/3/2026).
On the other hand, traffic engineering is also being prepared by the police. The National Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police plans to implement a one-way system starting from the Kalikangkung Toll Gate, depending on on-site vehicle volume conditions.
Government Urges Optimisation of WFA Policy
Meanwhile, the government is also appealing to the public not to return all at once during the peak reverse flow. One way is by utilising the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy already provided by many agencies and companies.
“We urge the public to make use of the WFA time given so they can return on 25, 26, or 27 March,” said Director General of Land Transportation, Aan Suhanan.
Additionally, road users are asked to be more prudent when using rest areas. Rest times should not be too long to allow turns with other users, especially during crowded conditions.
“We also remind the public to make the best use of rest areas. Maximise the 30-minute time so that others can take turns or make the most of rest spots outside the toll roads,” Aan added.