High Return Traffic Prompts Yogyakarta to Intensify Bus Driver Checks
The Yogyakarta City Health Department is enhancing supervision, particularly for bus drivers, by intensifying physical health, mental, and random urine tests until the end of this weekend. This measure follows the continued high return flow of Eid passengers at the Giwangan Main Terminal in Yogyakarta City, expected to peak on Saturday and Sunday this week, 28-29 March 2026.
The random checks target drivers of inter-city buses within the province (AKDP), inter-province inter-city buses (AKAP), and Trans Jogja services. “We will continue these random checks on bus drivers to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers,” said the Head of the Public Health Division of the Yogyakarta City Health Department, Aan Iswanti, on Friday, 27 March 2026.
She emphasised that safety is the top priority amid the dense return traffic expected to surge until the end of this weekend. “If drivers are unhealthy or vehicles are not roadworthy, anything can happen on the journey,” Aan stated.
In these checks, the deployed medical team categorises results into three groups: fit to drive, fit with notes, and unfit to drive. The examinations include physical checks, interviews, and on-site laboratory tests.
The health checks cover blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and drug and alcohol tests, involving the Yogyakarta Police Resort, the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Transportation Department.
From the initial 50 randomly checked driver samples, officials noted several issues. Some drivers were found to have high blood pressure and were advised to seek further medical checks at health facilities.
Aan urged bus companies to provide backup drivers and ensure drivers get adequate rest, given that passenger safety depends heavily on their physical condition.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Giwangan Terminal Unit, Yogyakarta, Sigit Saryanto, stated that urine tests for drivers are a priority in these checks. “Urine tests are important to ensure drivers are in prime condition,” he said.
From the urine tests on 50 drivers, 29 were declared fit, 20 fit with notes, and one driver was deemed unfit, prohibiting him from continuing the journey and requiring replacement by a backup driver.
The urine tests detect substances that could impair concentration. Drivers under the influence of substances or certain medications are not advised to drive due to the risk of drowsiness that endangers safety.
These strict checks are crucial given data from Giwangan Terminal showing massive passenger movements during the return flow period. On 24 March, for instance, 17,640 passengers departed, surging to 26,413 on 25 March.
These figures far exceed the normal daily average of 10,000 to 12,000 passengers, with all tickets for bus company routes to Jakarta, Denpasar, Sumatra, and Bengkulu reported sold out until 29 March.
In addition to regular buses, Giwangan Terminal serves as a departure point for free homecoming programmes, such as the dispatch of 32 buses from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government on Thursday, carrying 1,415 passengers to major terminals like Pulo Gebang and Pulo Gadung. “We anticipate high return traffic density on Saturday and Sunday,” he added.