Khofifah confirms East Java's readiness for 2026 Lebaran transport operations
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has confirmed the province’s full readiness to conduct the 2026 Lebaran transport operations across land, sea, air, and rail networks.
“We want to build maximum and detailed synergy for the organisation of Lebaran transport — whether by land, sea, air, rail, or toll road — so that everything runs smoothly, safely, and securely, bringing happiness to all,” Khofifah said in a statement in Surabaya on Saturday.
According to surveys, an estimated 27.29 million people, equivalent to 17.3 per cent of total national movement, are expected to travel to East Java. Meanwhile, public transport passenger movements in the province for 2026 are projected to increase from 7.3 million to 7.7 million passengers, a rise of 5.19 per cent.
Khofifah affirmed that the East Java provincial government and stakeholders have prepared anticipatory and mitigative measures, ranging from security posts, integrated command posts, and service stations to the strengthening of rest areas, tourist spots, and congestion-prone zones.
“In the event of traffic accidents, conditions must not worsen due to delayed evacuation. The presence of 24-hour community health centres connected to the nearest hospitals will be crucial for anticipation,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of collaboration between the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to anticipate the impact of the ongoing rainy season affecting several areas.
For Lebaran 2026, the East Java provincial government will once again open the Kraksaan–Gending toll road section in Situbondo for travellers heading to the eastern regions. Khofifah requested that Pertamina provide portable fuel stations along the route to anticipate a surge in users.
Regarding ferry crossings, the provincial government has prepared contingency plans for congestion, particularly at Ketapang Port, which coincides with Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence) celebrations. The port will be closed from 18 March at 17:00 Western Indonesian Time until 20 March at 06:00.
“Every year we actually face a shortage of sea vessels, particularly on the Jangkar route to the Sumenep islands. Specifically for the upcoming Nyepi closure, approximately three additional vessels will be needed,” Khofifah said.
Each year, the East Java provincial government provides free homecoming transport, particularly for island communities, covering both outbound and return journeys.
On the same occasion, Khofifah expressed appreciation for the operational optimisation of Dhoho Airport, which now serves Super Air Jet flights three times a week to strengthen connectivity in southern East Java.
Overall, the East Java provincial government has prepared 6,637 buses, 148 train sets, 302 aircraft, 55 sea vessels, and 71 ferry boats with a total of 241 trips across all terminals, airports, stations, and ports.
In addition, 8,991 personnel have been deployed from the provincial and district/city Transport Agencies, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), and the maritime sector including PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry.