Transport Minister Predicts 24 Million Citizens Will Travel by Motorcycle for Eid 2026, Arterial Routes Risk Congestion

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has forecast that approximately 24 million citizens will undertake the Eid holiday exodus in 2026 using motorcycles. The high volume of motorcycle users is expected to cause congestion on arterial and inter-regional connector roads during the peak travel period.

“Nationally, in terms of transport mode selection, private cars remain the primary choice for holiday travellers at 76.24 million people, followed by motorcycles at 24.08 million and buses at 23.34 million,” said Dudy during a coordination meeting for the 2026 Eid exodus preparation at the Indonesian Parliament building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

“The majority of car users utilise toll roads, accounting for 50.63 million people. Conversely, motorcycle riders tend to choose alternative routes outside main highways, at 8.65 million people, which has the potential to increase congestion on arterial routes and inter-regional connector roads,” Dudy explained.

Overall, the government projects total population movement during the 2026 Eid period will reach 143.91 million people, or approximately 50.60 per cent of Indonesia’s total population.

Central Java is projected to be the single largest destination, with approximately 38.71 million travellers heading there. East Java and West Java follow as the next most popular destinations.

At the district and city level, journeys originate predominantly from densely populated urban areas such as East Jakarta (2.56 million people), Bogor Regency, and Bekasi Regency. Destinations concentrate heavily in districts across Central Java. “For the Greater Jakarta region, Central Java is the favourite destination province for travellers,” Dudy added.

The Transport Ministry has also projected significant increases in passenger volumes at several major transport hubs. “The busiest departure airport is Soekarno-Hatta Airport, and the busiest destination airport is also Soekarno-Hatta Airport. For trains, Pasar Senen Station is the busiest departure point, whilst Yogyakarta Tugu Station is the busiest destination,” Dudy said.