Peak Homecoming Traffic: National One-Way System Implemented Wednesday 18 March 2026
The National Traffic Police Corps (Korlantas) of the Indonesian National Police will implement a nationwide one-way traffic system on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, coinciding with the sixth day of Operation Ketupat 2026 to manage anticipated peak Eid holiday homecoming traffic. The Head of the National Traffic Police Corps, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, stated that the nationwide one-way implementation is planned to run between 10:00 and 12:00 WIB, adjusted to align with predicted vehicle volume surges.
“Peak homecoming traffic is estimated to occur on 18 March. On that date, between 10:00 and 12:00, we will implement nationwide one-way traffic for the homecoming journey,” said Agus at the KM 57 A Rest Area on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, West Java, Monday evening (16/3).
He explained that the traffic management engineering decision also considers data from traffic accounting technology infrastructure that monitors vehicle flow conditions in real time. According to Agus, if traffic conditions remain manageable, the scheme applied could be modified to a sectional one-way system in the initial phase.
“When the traffic accounting technology infrastructure can be controlled, it may also be modified to a nationwide one-way system or a sectional one-way phase one, which of course we will announce,” he stated.
Regarding the possibility of implementing a nationwide one-way system during the return journey, Agus stated that police would continue to monitor traffic conditions following the homecoming period.
“We will assess the return traffic situation again. However, at this time, overall traffic conditions remain fairly manageable,” he said.
Previously, the National Traffic Police Corps prepared several dynamic Traffic Management Engineering scenarios (MRLL) during the Eid holiday homecoming period. These schemes include contraflow, local one-way, and nationwide one-way systems that will be applied situationally based on field conditions.
Based on joint evaluation results with various stakeholders, peak homecoming traffic is estimated to occur on 18 March 2026. However, traffic management measures can be implemented earlier if vehicle congestion parameters are met.
In the initial phase, the one-way system is planned to operate from KM 70 to KM 236 on the Trans Java toll road section. This coverage is longer than the previous year, which extended only to KM 188. If vehicle congestion persists, the one-way scheme will be expanded to KM 414 to facilitate vehicle flow for homebound travellers heading to Central Java and East Java regions.
The nationwide one-way system application will extend from the Kalikangkung Toll Gate in Semarang to the North Cikampek Toll Gate, designed to manage peak Eid 2025 return traffic congestion.
Traffic flow on several major routes in Central Java has been monitored to be experiencing declining vehicle volumes as of Monday (7/4) morning.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo directly led the flag-off or launch of the nationwide one-way system from KM 414 Kalikangkung Toll Gate to KM 70 North Cikampek Toll Gate.
Approximately 50 per cent, or 1.1 million homebound vehicles, have not yet returned to Jakarta and surrounding areas.
The Minister of Environment Hanif Faisol Nurofiq urged the public travelling during the Eid homecoming to reduce waste generation during their journeys. The Minister highlighted waste management at several bus terminals, which he deemed to fall far short of environmental standards.
According to police data, the motorcycle accident rate during the Eid homecoming reached a concerning 75.9 per cent.
On Monday (16/3) from 00:00 to 12:00 WIB, approximately 25,000 vehicles were recorded passing through the Cikopo toll towards Cirebon, lower than the same time period on Sunday (15/3).
Traffic Chief of Tasikmalaya City Police AKP Riki Kustiawan stated that the homecoming traffic flow on the national arterial route from West Java heading towards Central Java is entering the H-6 period without any volume increase yet.