Today Marks Peak Mudik Season; Severe Congestion from Negara City to Gilimanuk

Vehicle movements of travellers attempting to exit Bali through Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana experienced a drastic surge. The peak of the 2026 Lebaran mudik season was forecast to occur today, Sunday 15 March 2026. Observations at the location revealed severe congestion with vehicle queues reaching 32 kilometres, extending back to Negara City.

Based on monitoring in Negara District at 10.00 Wita, the vehicle queue had already reached the front of Negara Police Station and continued extending eastward. Beyond the sheer volume of vehicles, the persistence of three-axle trucks traversing the route despite restrictions imposed through a joint decision letter (SKB) was thought to have exacerbated conditions.

One traveller from Surabaya, Heru (36), reported being trapped in total gridlock since entering the Jembrana area. He departed from Tabanan around 07.00 Wita and had been stranded in Negara District since 09.00 Wita.

“I’m on a bus and stuck in Jembrana. There’s been no movement at all until now. I’d rather find a motorcycle taxi to Gilimanuk – I’d pay any price as long as I can get home quickly,” Heru complained when interviewed.

Similar complaints were voiced by Agus, a traveller from Sidoarjo. He chose public transport to rest but found himself frustrated by what he considered unreasonable congestion.

“It’s the worst this year. The congestion reaches all the way to Negara? It’s absolutely unreasonable this year,” Agus said.

Separately confirmed, PT ASDP Gilimanuk Operations Manager Didi Juliansyah acknowledged that today represented the peak mudik period. The company noted the arrival of large numbers of vehicles simultaneously.

“Production data is still being compiled, but today’s situation appears to be the peak mudik period. The situation at the port is currently very congested,” Didi said.

To alleviate congestion, ASDP has deployed a total of 35 vessels. This comprises 25 vessels on regular scheduled service, plus support from 10 vessels operating on a tiba bongkar berangkat (arrive-unload-depart) basis.

“There are 35 vessels operating and 10 on TBB (tiba bongkar berangkat) arrangements. Trucks are still regulated according to priority schedules under the joint decision letter – actually there are no operational constraints since separate lanes are already in place. This is purely due to the simultaneous arrival of very large numbers of vehicles,” he concluded.