Traffic Surge at Cikupa Toll Gate in Tangerang Towards Merak

Traffic congestion was recorded at the Cikupa Toll Gate in Tangerang Regency on the Tangerang-Merak expressway heading towards Merak ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah in 2026. A total of 196,143 vehicles passed through the toll gate between 11 and 15 March 2026, according to data compiled during this period.

Observations at the Cikupa Toll Gate on the evening of Monday, 16 March, showed traffic conditions remained congested but flowing smoothly. Vehicles passing through were predominantly private cars, logistics trucks, and passenger buses. Similar conditions were observed on the return route from Merak towards Jakarta, with some vehicles visibly laden with cargo on their roofs.

Field officers continued to monitor traffic conditions to anticipate potential congestion at the toll gate. According to data from ASTRA Infra Toll Road Tangerang-Merak, 196,143 vehicles passed through the Cikupa Toll Gate from Jakarta towards Merak between 11-15 March 2026.

Uswatun Hasanah, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability Management at ASTRA Infra Toll Road Tangerang-Merak, stated that traffic volume on the Tangerang-Merak expressway entering through the Cikupa Toll Gate showed an increase of approximately 14.39 per cent compared with average normal daily traffic. Daily traffic was recorded at 43,985 vehicles, down 19.08 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, but up 14.39 per cent against normal average daily traffic.

Meanwhile, traffic towards Merak Port during the 11-15 March 2026 period reached 52,299 vehicles. As of 15 March, vehicle volume towards Merak Port was recorded at 12,259 units, down 13.87 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, but up 74.68 per cent compared to normal conditions.

Overall, total vehicles passing through the Tangerang-Merak expressway during 11-15 March 2026 reached 830,080 units, with an average daily traffic of 145,336 vehicles—down 12 per cent compared to the same period during Eid al-Fitr 2025, but up 10.2 per cent against normal average daily traffic.

According to a press release from PT Jasa Marga on 16 March 2026, approximately 812,000 vehicles left the Greater Jakarta area between six and ten days before the Eid al-Fitr holidays in 2026. PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk Chief Executive Officer Rivan A Purwantono explained that on the sixth day before the Eid holiday, traffic volume leaving the Greater Jakarta region through four main toll gates reached 162,129 vehicles, an increase of 21.3 per cent compared to normal traffic of 133,637 vehicles.

According to Purwantono, the increase in traffic volume was also influenced by the implementation of the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy on Monday, 16 March. This policy provides flexibility for commuters to schedule their travel earlier, allowing some road users to commence their return journeys sooner through expressway routes heading out of the Greater Jakarta region.