Homecoming Traffic Flows Smoothly as Becak Drivers Cease Operations
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has stated that a compensation programme for becak drivers implemented by the West Java Provincial Government is helping to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic during the 2026 Lebaran homecoming in the region. Becak drivers have been requested to cease operations on roads during the homecoming period in exchange for monetary compensation.
Dudy stated that the programme has assisted field personnel in maintaining traffic flow whilst providing support to becak drivers during the Lebaran homecoming period. “This programme is excellent and highly valuable. We very much appreciate the steps taken by the Governor,” Dudy said during his visit to Cirebon on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
He believed the policy contributed to creating smoother and more comfortable travel for the public, particularly on arterial routes during the homecoming period.
According to him, the programme also provided becak drivers with the opportunity to temporarily cease operations on roads during the homecoming period, whilst still receiving support from the local government.
Dudy stated that similar policies could be applied in other regions as one traffic management measure during the homecoming season. However, he emphasised that implementing such a programme depends on the budgetary capacity of each local government.
“We continually urge other local governments to do the same, but of course adjusting to the capacity of their respective regions,” he said.
He believed the West Java Provincial Government had sufficient budgetary support to implement the programme during the homecoming period.
Regarding traffic conditions, Dudy stated that vehicle movement has increased to date, although not yet significantly.
Nevertheless, according to Dudy, the government continues to monitor traffic flow developments to anticipate a surge in vehicles over the coming days.
Dudy added that based on survey results, the peak homecoming traffic is estimated to occur on 18 March 2026. He hoped the public could take advantage of the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy to choose more flexible travel times, thereby preventing the accumulation of vehicles at any particular time.
Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi stated that providing compensation to becak drivers was done to reduce waiting activities on main routes that could potentially trigger congestion.
According to him, each becak driver received assistance of Rp1.4 million as compensation for temporarily ceasing operations in the lead-up to Eid al-Fitr.
Dedi noted that in the Cirebon region there were approximately 557 becak drivers receiving such assistance, with the possibility of additional recipients through other funding support.
“Overall there are 5,000 compensation recipients, but there will be additional numbers later covered by other funding,” he said.