Peak Return Traffic for Eid 2026 on 28 and 29 March, Ministry of Transportation Reveals Critical Points

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) estimates that the peak of the Eid al-Fitr 2026 return traffic will not only occur on 24 March but also on 28 and 29 March.

Head of the Communication and Information Bureau of Kemenhub, Ernita Titis Dewi, stated that the potential surge in return traffic for Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected after the Lebaran Ketupat celebration on 28 March 2026.

This Lebaran Ketupat tradition could drive further movement among the public, who will return to their home cities shortly before the holiday period ends on Monday (30/3/2026).

She revealed that several points are expected to be prone to congestion, including major ferry ports, popular return toll road sections, and transport hubs such as terminals and stations.

Furthermore, she noted that crossing routes like Bakauheni Port and Ketapang Port will experience a significant increase in vehicle and passenger volumes.

Therefore, the public is urged to plan their travel times well by avoiding the peak return traffic periods for Eid al-Fitr 2026 and those points.

Meanwhile, Kemenhub is optimising buffer zones and delaying systems to ease vehicle queues heading to the Ketapang Port area.

Another Kemenhub strategy involves ship operations.

Under normal conditions, 28 ships operate; for dense conditions, 30 ships; and for very dense conditions, 32 ships will operate.

Intensive monitoring is also being conducted to ensure travel safety and smoothness, including aspects of transport facility seaworthiness and field personnel readiness.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these efforts greatly depends on public participation in managing travel times.

“We urge the public not to travel simultaneously during peak times. Schedule departures, maintain physical condition, and ensure vehicles are roadworthy,” she said.