Eid al-Fitr Homecoming 2026: 3.5 Million Vehicles Leave Jakarta, Accidents Claimed to Decrease

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The flow of vehicles for the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming is showing a significant increase. Millions of vehicles are estimated to leave Jakarta in the coming days, in line with the rising mobility of the public heading to their hometowns. PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk projects a total of 3.5 million vehicles will exit Jakarta during this year’s homecoming period. This surge is expected to occur in two main waves, namely on 14 March 2026 and 18 March 2026. “We estimate that 3.5 million vehicles will pass out of Jakarta,” said Rivan, during a press conference at the Presidential Staff Office in Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/3/2026). He stated that the daily traffic volume (LHR) on Wednesday is estimated to reach 256,000 vehicles, up from 221,000 vehicles on Tuesday (17/3/2026), making it the highest since 13 March 2026. Around 50 percent of the homecoming flow is estimated to head east through the Trans-Java route, which remains the favourite path for homecomers. To anticipate density at several crucial points, Jasa Marga has prepared several functional toll road sections. One of them is the Jakarta-Cikampek (Japek) II toll road section spanning 50 kilometres, connecting Sadang to Setu (Burangkeng). This section has been tested and can be operated since 15 March 2026 if needed, particularly to ease congestion at KM 66, which is the meeting point of the Trans-Java and Cipularang routes. In addition, the Yogyakarta-Solo toll road has been extended to Purwomartani, Kalasan, spanning about 11.48 kilometres. Previously, this section only operated up to Prambanan. Another section that has been functionalised is the Yogyakarta-Bawen Toll Section VI (Bawen-Ambarawa) spanning 5 kilometres, which is expected to alleviate traffic jams at the Bawen intersection while smoothing access to Secang, Magelang, and Temanggung. Meanwhile, the Probolinggo-Besuki toll road is also prepared to be functional in both directions. This route, spanning about 50 kilometres, is considered capable of significantly reducing travel time, especially for homecomers passing from Pasuruan-Probolinggo to Gending-Situbondo. “This is already ready, including the functional rest area that we have prepared at Bukit Ujung Paiton, which currently also significantly sees nearly 25,000 passers-by. And this affects the rest areas that the surrounding community usually uses as a resting place,” he said.