Merapah Trans Java 2026 Begins, Homecoming Travel Guide
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Lebaran 2026 exodus is predicted to be unusual. Although the total number of travellers is forecast to fall by 6.91% compared with last year, the volume of private vehicles on the roads is expected to surge and dominate national movement. Survey data from the Ministry of Transportation shows that of 143.92 million travellers this year, 72.24 million people or 52.98% of them choose to use private cars. This figure serves as a clear signal for infrastructure managers to prepare for surges in traffic on the main routes of Java Island. With the theme “Pesona Selatan Jawa”, the official team was released in a flag-off ceremony in the lobby of the Kompas Tower, Jakarta, Saturday (7/3/2026). The programme has full support from the Indonesian Toll Association (ATI), PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk, Honda Prospect Motor, ASTRA Infra, PT Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada Tbk, and Waskita Toll Road. Unlike previous years which often focused on the Pantura route, Merapah Trans Java 2026 offers the Southern Java crossing. This route is positioned as a concrete solution to alleviate chronic congestion concentrated on Pantura’s main arteries. The Merapah Trans Java 2026 team is scheduled to traverse a long route starting from Merak, Jakarta, Kebumen, Yogyakarta, Malang, and Surabaya, before eventually returning to Jakarta via the Trans-Java Toll Road. ATI Secretary-General Krisade Sudiyono said that the Merapah Trans Java 2026 programme is not merely traffic reporting, but a means to portray the reality of the efforts and hard work of toll road operators across Indonesia. Currently, Indonesia has an operational toll road network of 3,115 kilometres. This figure is expected to continue growing in line with plans to operate 291 kilometres of new toll road segments in the near future. “This preparation requires considerable effort. However, we believe that the hard work will be rewarded with the smiles of toll-road users who can enjoy the warmth of Lebaran family reunions,” said Krisade.