Lebaran 2026: Minister of Transportation Estimates 3.87 Million Travellers from South Sumatra
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi predicts that the number of people travelling during the Lebaran period from the South Sumatra region will reach 3.87 million.
Meanwhile, in terms of destination, the number of people travelling to the South Sumatra region is predicted to reach 3.85 million.
According to the Minister of Transportation, South Sumatra Province has a vital position as a connectivity hub in western Indonesia, especially Sumatra Island, supported by road, rail, ferry, and air transportation networks.
“South Sumatra has a strategic position as a major hub for people’s movement in the central corridor of Sumatra Island,” said Dudy in an official statement on Wednesday (25/2/2026).
“The flow of people in and out of this region is projected to increase from Lampung and Jambi, both through land routes, namely the Trans Sumatra Toll Road and the Sumatra Cross-Island Road Network, as well as through air, rail, and ferry transportation to Palembang and its surroundings,” added the Minister of Transportation.
The non-toll Trans Sumatra highway is the second-largest option, with an estimated 7.85 million private vehicles, which has the potential to increase traffic congestion on arterial and inter-regional roads.
“On the Trans Sumatra highway, private vehicle and bus traffic will be concentrated in two main corridors, namely the East Cross-Island Road connecting Lampung-Palembang-Jambi and the Central Cross-Island Road via Baturaja-Lahat-Lubuk Linggau and passing through South Sumatra, before finally heading to several provinces such as Jambi, Bengkulu, West Sumatra, Riau, North Sumatra, to Aceh,” he said.
“Therefore, optimal traffic management, increased safety supervision, and the readiness of facilities and infrastructure in each of these strategic corridors are needed,” he added.
In this regard, the Ministry of Transportation provides 401 buses that can carry 15,834 passengers to 34 destinations, one of which is Palembang.
The Alang-Alang Lebar Terminal in Palembang is the location for the arrival of free travellers and the departure of the return flow in the South Sumatra region.
For sea transportation, a quota of 66,082 economy passengers is available, serving 121 routes, including the Muntok-Palembang route, during the period of 11 March to 5 April 2026.
“We need the support of the South Sumatra Provincial Government in providing easy access for travellers to get to terminals and ports, including feeder transportation services at free travel hubs,” explained Dudy.