Homebound Travellers from Jakarta Continue to Flood Cirebon Pantura Route This Evening

Traffic flow on Jalan Pantai Utara (Pantura) in Cirebon City, West Java, became increasingly congested this evening with homebound travellers. The road was filled with vehicles travelling from Jakarta towards Central Java and in the reverse direction.

Head of the Simpang Pemuda Security Post at Cirebon City Police Headquarters, Senior Brigadier Suganda, stated that increased traffic volume in Cirebon became apparent from the afternoon around 15:00 WIB, particularly after a one-way system was implemented on the toll road section.

“The traffic congestion began around 15:00 WIB, especially for vehicles heading from Java towards Jakarta,” said Suganda, citing Antara, on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

He explained that traffic management measures had not yet been formally implemented. Nevertheless, police continued to manage vehicle flow in the field to maintain traffic continuity.

“We have not yet implemented traffic management measures, but officers are regulating vehicles so they can continue moving without stopping for extended periods on the route,” he said.

Based on data from the Traffic Count Team of Cirebon City Transport Authority, between 00:00 WIB and 19:30 WIB, 62,858 vehicles were recorded passing from Jakarta towards Central Java.

Of this total, motorcycles dominated with 53,104 units. The average number of vehicles passing per hour reached approximately 2,619 units.

This represented an increase of approximately 3.69 per cent compared to the period four days before Eid 2025 on Cirebon’s Pantura road.

Previously, Cirebon City Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Eko Iskandar stated that increased vehicle flow became apparent over the last two days, both on toll and arterial routes.

He explained that the implementation of the one-way system on the toll road could divert vehicles to arterial routes, particularly Pantura Cirebon.

“Usually arterial routes, particularly Pantura, experience overflow from toll roads when the one-way system is implemented,” he said.

The police had prepared contingency measures, including the possibility of diverting traffic to the alternative Cirebon-Indramayu route if congestion occurred.

“We are prepared to provide services so the public can travel home safely and comfortably, and traffic management will be implemented based on field assessment,” said Eko.