Operational Alert for 2026 Eid Holiday Travel Strengthens Kutepat Toll Road Fleet Readiness

PT Hutama Marga Waskita (Hamawas) has launched a comprehensive operational alert for the 2026 Eid holiday travel period in preparation for the anticipated surge in traffic. The alert was held at the Rest Area at kilometre 99 on the Tebing Tinggi–Indrapura toll road on Wednesday, 11 March, and was led by Hamawas Chief Commissioner Muhroni, with representatives from the Board of Commissioners and Management, North Sumatra Highway Police, and operational staff from the Kuala Tanjung–Tebing Tinggi–Parapat (Kutepat) toll road section.

Hamawas Chief Executive Officer Dindin Solakhuddin stated that the operational alert demonstrates the company’s commitment to ensuring all operational aspects—infrastructure, facilities, and personnel—are in optimal condition to support smooth toll road services during the 2026 Eid travel period.

“Hamawas has prepared various anticipatory measures to ensure the comfort and security of road users, ranging from enhanced patrols and readiness of operational service vehicles to strengthened coordination with relevant agencies. As the toll road operator managing the Kutepat section, Hamawas ensures that all toll road service facilities, including toll booths, rest areas, and traffic management systems, function optimally to support smooth public mobility during the Eid period,” Dindin explained on Thursday, 12 March.

The operational alert included the formal establishment of the 2026 Eid Holiday Service Task Force, symbolising Hamawas’s readiness for the upcoming service period. A siren was activated by Hamawas representatives alongside relevant agencies as a symbol of operational readiness, followed by inspections of operational vehicles and equipment, including patrol vehicles, tow trucks, rescue vehicles, and ambulances.

Currently, Hamawas has mobilised 35 operational vehicles and 311 standby personnel. The company has prepared one Rest and Service Area (TIP) at kilometre 99 on the Tebing Tinggi–Indrapura toll road and a temporary TIP at the Sinaksak Toll Gate. Services are strengthened through five top-up locations at each toll gate, 33 operational command centres, 12 mobile readers, 202 CCTV cameras, and eight Variable Message Sign (VMS) units.

Peak outbound travel during the 2026 Eid period is predicted to increase by 26.29%, rising from the normal 169,868 vehicles to approximately 214,533 vehicles. Return traffic is predicted to increase more significantly, by approximately 96.37%, from the normal 179,577 vehicles to approximately 352,637 vehicles.

Dindin also stated that to support smooth travel during the 2026 Eid period, Hamawas will operationally open the Sinaksak–Simpang Panei toll road section, spanning 12.55 kilometres. This operational opening is expected to help distribute traffic flow, reduce travel time, and provide alternative routes that are more comfortable and safer for travellers in North Sumatra.

“The Sinaksak–Simpang Panei toll road section is planned to be operationally opened during the 2026 Eid period, particularly to support smooth mobility during the outbound and return travel periods, so that road users can reunite with their families more quickly,” Dindin explained.

Various service facilities are available, including Nataru command posts, toilets, and mosques at various toll gates, as well as modular petrol stations at the Rest Area at kilometre 99 and service vehicles to assist road users experiencing difficulties on the Kutepat toll road.

Hamawas urges all road users to comply with traffic regulations and requirements on toll roads. Drive at a minimum speed of 60 kilometres per hour and a maximum of 80 kilometres per hour, and do not use the shoulder lane except in emergencies.

“If there are complaints or witness to criminal activity on the toll road, please report immediately to the Kutepat Call Centre at +62 812 9595 3536,” Dindin concluded.

Peak outbound travel is predicted to occur on 14–15 March and 18–19 March 2026, whilst peak return traffic is expected on 24–25 March and 28–29 March 2026. The National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas Polri) has officially established a one-way traffic scheme from kilometre 70 on the Jakarta–Bandung Tollway to kilometre 421 in Semarang, beginning 17 March 2026, to manage the surge in vehicles.