Returning Travellers Begin Congesting Kalikangkung Toll Gate Six Days Before Eid

SEMARANG – Eid 2026 returning traveller traffic has begun showing a marked increase across several toll road sections in Central Java. On Sunday, 15 March 2026 (six days before Eid), vehicle congestion became noticeable in the Kalikangkung Toll Gate area, although overall traffic conditions remained flowing smoothly. Vehicles traversing the Batang–Semarang toll road section and the reverse direction continued moving without major disruption.

However, as vehicle volumes continued to rise, queues began forming at the main toll gates serving as entry points to Semarang. To manage the expected surge in vehicles, toll road operators have activated additional toll booths to ensure transaction processing remains efficient without causing extended congestion.

Field conditions remained relatively conducive despite occasional cloud cover and light drizzle. Cargo vehicles continue to move through the toll roads in substantial numbers, despite the government implementing operational restrictions since Friday, 13 March 2026. These restrictions apply to three-axle or larger trucks, articulated trailers, and vehicles transporting minerals and building materials on both toll and arterial roads.

The government and toll road operators have also offered a 30 per cent toll rate discount as an incentive for returning travellers. M. Faried Sulitamtama, Senior Manager of Representative Office 2 for the Semarang Toll Road Section at PT Jasamarga Transjawa Tol, noted that vehicle mobility increases have become evident over the past two days in the Semarang toll section.

“On Friday, 13 March, total vehicles recorded on the Semarang ABC toll section reached 120,251, an increase of 9.89 per cent compared to normal traffic of 109,518 vehicles,” Faried stated on Sunday, 15 March. “On Saturday, 14 March, vehicle volumes were recorded at 116,958, an increase of 10.51 per cent compared to normal traffic of 105,831 vehicles,” he added.

According to Faried, this vehicle volume increase indicates rising public mobility through the Semarang region, which represents one of the main corridors for traffic heading eastward along the Trans-Java route. The traffic data accumulated from multiple toll gates in the Semarang area, including Krapyak 1, Krapyak 2, Manyaran, Tembalang, Gayamsari, Muktiharjo, Jatingaleh 1, Jatingaleh 2, Srondol, Banyumanik, and Kalikangkung toll gates.