Tonight Predicted as Peak of First Wave Exodus Traffic in Central Java
Tonight, Saturday 14 March, is predicted to be the peak of the first wave exodus traffic for Central Java. By H-7 (seven days before Lebaran), hundreds of thousands of vehicles have already entered Central Java through the Trans-Java Toll Road as well as the national Pantura and Pansela highways.
According to monitoring by Media Indonesia on Saturday 14 March from early morning, thousands of Lebaran exodus vehicles entered Central Java via the Pantura, Pansela, and Trans-Java toll routes in Penjagan-Pemalang-Batang-Semarang.
On the Pantura route by mid-morning, the Lebaran exodus traffic was dominated by motorcycles and private vehicles. Although traffic remained relatively smooth, congestion was visible at several key points including Pasar Tosari (Brebes), Simpang Klonengan (Tegal), Pasar Wiradesa (Pekalongan), Simpang Posis (Pekalongan City), Pasar Weleri (Kendal), Mangkang and Krapyak (Semarang City), and Bawen (Semarang Regency).
A 100% increase in vehicle volumes compared to previous periods was also observed on several alternative routes including Tegal-Purwokerto, Pemalang-Purbalingga, Weleri (Kendal)-Parakan (Temanggung), Gunungpati-Ungaran, Tuntang (Semarang)-Godong (Grobogan), Sumowono (Semarang Regency)-Kaloran (Temanggung), and Sumowono-Boja (Kendal).
“Since morning, road conditions in Central Java have started to increase compared to before and have been marked by exodus vehicles with two and four wheels (private vehicles),” said Singgih, owner of a warung (small restaurant) on the Pantura route in Tulis, Batang Regency.
Similar observations were made by Wahyuni, owner of a food warung on the Pantura route in Sentono, Pekalongan City. She said the number of passing vehicles, particularly from the west direction (Jakarta), had increased from before. Many vehicles even stopped at various warungs along the route before dawn.
A traveller from Bekasi heading to Semarang, Rifki (50 years old), said he deliberately returned to his wife’s family home earlier because the children had already started their school holidays and to spend more time with family.
“If I leave later, I’m worried the roads will be congested and traffic-filled,” he added.
Another traveller, Riyanto (45 years old), said he departed from Jakarta after breaking fast. In the early hours, he had already entered Gringsing area in Batang Regency. He found the journey quite smooth, both on the toll road and when exiting at Pekalongan and Semarang, as he wanted to stop to buy souvenirs for his family in Kudus.
The increase in the number of Lebaran exodus vehicles on the Trans-Java Toll Road has been occurring since H-10 (Wednesday, 11 March) before Lebaran and continues to increase daily. The peak of the first wave exodus is predicted to occur tonight Saturday (14 March) with vehicle volumes reaching up to twice the previous amounts.
Nur Adzani Fajar, Assistant Manager of Traffic at PT Pemalang Batang Tol Road (PBTR), said the increase in vehicle volumes on this toll section has been noticeable since H-10 Lebaran, reaching 23,000 vehicles. Then on H-9 Thursday (12 March), it increased further to 26,000 vehicles.
“For H-8 or Friday (13 March), we are still conducting recapitulation, whilst Saturday (14 March) is still ongoing and is being monitored to show further increases compared to before, and this is predicted to spike tonight,” said Nur Adzani Fajar.
Facing the surge in vehicle traffic on this toll section, Nur Adzani Fajar continued, various preparations have been made from staff readiness to coordination with relevant agencies, particularly the police, especially when facing large surges requiring diversions.
According to Nur Adzani Fajar, in addition to implementing both national and regional one-way policies on the Trans-Java toll route from Jakarta to Kalikangkung (Semarang), toll rate discounts of up to 23% are expected to provide stimulus to travellers using the toll in order to reduce congestion on the Pantura route.
Similar measures were also announced by Nasrullah, President Director of PT Jasamarga Semarang Batang. To anticipate the surge in Lebaran exodus traffic this year, all toll gates at Kalikangkung in Semarang City will be fully opened.
“We are opening 20 toll gates to facilitate vehicle traffic,” he added.
In addition to providing special discounts, Nasrullah continued, for vehicles passing directly from Cikampek Utama Toll Gate to Kalikangkung Toll Gate during the exodus period, dozens of mobile reader units have been prepared as a technical step to minimise queues at toll gates.
The management of Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo Regency, East Java, has begun mapping passenger movements ahead of the Lebaran exodus season this year.
The Transportation Agency of East Java Province has predicted that as many as 24.9 million travellers will move towards East Java during the upcoming Lebaran holiday period.
Work From Anywhere (WFA) or flexible working arrangements will be implemented during the Lebaran exodus period from 13 March to 29 March 2026 to reduce traffic congestion during the exodus period.
The Chairman of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Lasarus, emphasised the importance of infrastructure readiness ahead of the Lebaran exodus and return period in 2026, particularly in Central Java which is the main national transit route.