Seven days before Eid al-Fitr, passengers begin to crowd Pasar Senen Station

Jakarta — Passengers planning to travel for Eid al-Fitr homecoming journeys have begun to crowd the departure areas at Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta on Saturday, seven days before Eid al-Fitr 2026.

Prospective passengers chose to depart earlier to avoid the anticipated surge in passenger numbers as the festive day approaches.

Observations in the intercity train departure area showed the station was busy. Some passengers appeared to queue towards platform gates, whilst others waited in the lounge with their families.

Putri, aged 25, a homecoming traveller who will return to her hometown in Blitar, East Java, said she deliberately departed early from West Jakarta to avoid the congestion approaching the religious holiday.

“If we depart close to Eid, it will definitely be more crowded than today. Even today is already crowded, let alone later,” she said.

“Because I managed to get my ticket today. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and there are no problems,” she added.

Meanwhile, Risalda, aged 20, a student originally from Jakarta, also chose to travel from Solo as university holidays began. She arrived at Pasar Senen Station after making the journey from Solo.

“I chose today’s schedule because it happens that our campus holiday just started yesterday,” she said.

Inside the station, officers were seen helping to manage the flow of passengers continuously arriving with various types of luggage. Train departure announcements were also heard periodically, reminding passengers to proceed to their platforms according to their travel schedules.

Although not yet at the peak of homecoming travel, the station atmosphere was filled with activity from migrant workers and families preparing for long-distance journeys.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Operations Region (Daop) 1 Jakarta recorded nearly 50,000 passengers departing Jakarta on this day, seven days before Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah, which is expected to fall on 21 March 2026.

The volume of passenger departures from several stations within Daop 1 Jakarta on this day reached 49,895 people, according to data until 11:42 West Indonesia Time.

Meanwhile, the number of passengers arriving in Jakarta on this day was recorded at 30,841 people.