Deputy Chair of MPR States Safe and Comfortable Homecoming Journey as Part of State Protection Efforts

Deputy Chair of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Lestari Moerdijat (Rerie), has stated that ensuring safe and comfortable conditions for the 2026 Eid homecoming journey must form part of efforts to protect all citizens.

“The readiness of transport infrastructure used by homebound travellers must be ensured to be safe and comfortable by all relevant parties, in order to realise protection measures for every citizen during the Eid holiday period,” Rerie said in a statement on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

She made these remarks whilst opening an online discussion titled “Preparations for the 2026 Eid Homecoming” organised by the Denpasar Discussion Forum 12 on Wednesday (11 March).

Rerie commended the government’s initial steps in preparing for the 2026 Eid homecoming from early on, providing sufficient time for travellers through the work from anywhere (WFA) policy for civil servants.

Rerie expressed hope that the flexibility in travel timing would enable travellers to experience safer and more comfortable journeys compared to the previous year. Rerie, who also serves as a member of Commission X of the People’s Representative Council (DPR RI), stressed the need for heightened vigilance among homebound travellers, given that climate crisis impacts frequently trigger extreme weather.

Furthermore, the senior member of the Democratic Party (NasDem) maintained that creating safe and comfortable homecoming conditions is the responsibility of all relevant parties, including the community itself.

PT KAI Operations Director Awan Hermawan Purwadinata disclosed that this year’s homecoming period spans 22 days, from 11 March 2026 to 1 April 2026.

“PT KAI has completed technical preparations of all trains and their equipment to ensure operational readiness during the homecoming period,” said Awan.

“During this year’s homecoming, train journey frequency is estimated to increase by 2.1% (49,866 train journeys) compared to the 2025 homecoming period,” he added.

Meanwhile, train transport capacity for the 2026 homecoming is estimated to increase by 5.4% (61.88 million seats) compared to the previous year. Awan revealed that the company is also providing a free homecoming programme for the public, accommodating motorcycle riders.

In the meantime, Korlantas Polri Law Enforcement Director, Brigadier General Pol. Faizal, disclosed that the police have already conducted readiness inspections of several homecoming and return routes.

Faizal assessed that last year’s homecoming operations were quite successful. He expressed hope that the 2026 homecoming service could perform even better. Faizal acknowledged that accidents during the homecoming period remain dominated by two-wheeled vehicles.

“Therefore, he expressed gratitude to PT KAI and other parties assisting motorcycle riders through the free homecoming programme,” said Faizal.

“Several free homecoming programmes have helped reduce accident figures involving two-wheeled vehicles,” Faizal explained.

According to Faizal, the key to successful homecoming service this year is coordination and synergy among all parties in realising safe and comfortable travel conditions.

PT Pelindo Operations Director Prasetyadi revealed that in the lead-up to the Eid holiday, there is an increase in cargo transport at several ports.

“PT Pelindo implements traffic management and capacity policies to prevent truck congestion around ports,” said Prasetyadi.

Additionally, he noted, PT Pelindo is also preparing buffer zones around ports to anticipate congestion. PT Pelindo is also preparing a booking system to facilitate users’ access to maritime services.

GM of PT Angkasa Pura Indonesia Ahmad Yani Airport Branch Semarang, Sulistyo Yulianto, disclosed that Ahmad Yani Airport during the homecoming period serves as Central Java’s gateway and transit point to East Java.

“Ahmad Yani Airport serves 6.9 million passengers per year with daily operating hours from 07:00 to 21:00,” said Sulistyo.

According to Sulistyo, Ahmad Yani Airport operates 13 domestic flight routes and two international flight routes to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Sulistyo revealed that several homecoming information posts at the airport and surroundings have already been prepared to anticipate the surge in passenger numbers, estimated to peak on 19 March 2026.

Passenger movement using Ahmad Yani Airport services during this year’s homecoming is estimated to reach 154,000 passengers.

Chair of the Indonesian Transport Society, Haris Muhammadun, contended that all preparations made by transport operators and police are based on predictions or estimates.

Based on last year’s experience, said Haris, actual figures are always higher than predicted.

“Therefore, during this year’s Eid holiday period, the ability to anticipate appropriately when facing a surge in vehicle and traveller numbers is critically needed,” he stressed.

The prediction that 52.8% of homebound travellers will use cars, according to Haris, must be anticipated by opening non-toll roads as alternative routes if toll roads become too congested.

“The readiness of non-toll roads must also be maintained. Several mitigation efforts should be prepared in case problems arise on homecoming routes,” Haris explained.

Journalist Iis Zatnika from Media Indonesia held the view that the prediction of declining homebound traveller numbers year-on-year opens opportunities to improve homecoming service management this year.

This year, said Iis, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) is predicting a 1.7% decrease in homebound traveller numbers.

Iis believed that utilising an information dashboard is crucial for improving homecoming management in the future.

The use of social media and mainstream media, according to Iis, is essential in achieving comfortable homecoming services.

Iis expressed hope that this year’s homecoming momentum would not only aim for safety and smooth flow, but also be able to realise environmentally friendly travel.

Senior journalist Saur Hutabarat believed that the excellent preparations made by various transport operators in anticipation of the Eid holiday period gives the public a sense of security.

According to Saur, homecoming is a cultural phenomenon of society conducted annually.

“Therefore, there is no alternative but to make the homecoming process safe and comfortable for the public,” said Saur.