Traders at Pulo Gebang Terminal reap profits amid the return flow of holiday travellers

One of the coffee stall traders in the terminal area, Sakim (38), said that the number of return travellers passing through the terminal this year tends to be lower compared to last year. However, this did not significantly impact his sales. “It’s not as busy as last year, but there are plenty of customers,” said Sakim when met at Pulo Gebang Terminal, Jakarta, on Thursday. He revealed that during the peak return flow yesterday, his revenue reached around Rp2.5 million per day. According to him, the sales increase was triggered by several bus arrival delays due to heavy traffic, prompting passengers to buy food and drinks from his stall. “Usually because the buses are often late, passengers end up waiting a long time. In the end, many buy coffee or snacks,” he said. In addition, Sakim believes that the government’s free holiday travel programme (mutis), organised by the government and several agencies, also contributed to the increase in his customers. Sari, the owner of a grocery shop or Madurese stall in the terminal area, expressed a similar view. She acknowledged that this year’s return flow is indeed not as busy as last year, but the number of buyers at her stall remains relatively stable. “There are still quite a few customers,” she said. Based on observations by ANTARA, several stalls at the Integrated Pulo Gebang Terminal were seen closed. This condition is due to many traders choosing to return to their hometowns and have not yet returned to Jakarta. The Commander of the Terminal Squad (Danru) of the Integrated Pulo Gebang Terminal, Badman Harahap, confirmed this. He said that some traders have temporarily closed their businesses because of the Eid holiday travel. Meanwhile, the return flow at Pulo Gebang Terminal is starting to show an increase. As of Thursday (26/3) at 12:00 WIB, 3,440 passengers with 487 buses had arrived. “At this time, 487 buses have arrived, with 3,440 passengers. They are still arriving in the arrival area,” said Badman. He noted that this number is an increase compared to the previous day, which reached 4,340 passengers with 626 buses. According to him, the trend of returning travellers continues to strengthen and is estimated to reach 5,000 to 6,000 people until midnight. “It’s getting busier. From 00:00 to 12:00, there are almost 4,000 passengers,” he said. Badman added that the peak return flow is predicted to occur on 28-29 March 2026, ahead of the resumption of office and school activities in Jakarta on 30 March. In addition, the arrival of free holiday travel programme participants in the coming days is also expected to add to the density in the terminal area.