Transport Minister Unveils Strategy for 2026 Eid Holiday Travel Surge
Jakarta — Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi presented transport infrastructure and service readiness for the 2026 Eid holiday travel period during a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. Overall, Dudy outlined the government’s preparedness, particularly through the Transport Ministry, alongside all transport stakeholders in managing the 2026 Eid travel surge.
Dudy cited survey results on potential movement during the 2026 Eid period, estimating that population movement would reach 50.60 per cent of Indonesia’s population, equivalent to 143.91 million people. This figure represents a 1.75 per cent decrease compared to 2025 survey results of approximately 146 million people.
“However, in actual realisation, the number of movements in 2025 reached 154 million people. This demonstrates that public mobility during the Eid period tends to exceed the figures projected in surveys,” said Dudy.
To this end, the government has undertaken various preparations, including readiness of land, sea, air, and ferry transport infrastructure and equipment; inspection of transport mode safety; implementation of economic stimulus through fare discounts on air, sea, rail, and ferry tickets; provision of free shuttle services; implementation of work-from-anywhere (WFA) policies; traffic management measures; provision of additional fleet capacity; and operational regulation of freight vehicles.
The Transport Ministry is also conducting digital-based operations to monitor the Eid travel period, including reporting from transport nodes and networks, surveillance of vehicle movements, live drone streaming, accident monitoring, and public complaints systems.
“Monitoring also encompasses weather and early warning data from the Meteorological Agency, as well as surveillance through 7,159 CCTV cameras in cooperation with regional governments, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector,” Dudy added.
To facilitate traffic flow towards ferry terminals, the government has prepared a layered buffer zone scheme at Merak Port. Toll road buffer zones have been arranged utilising rest areas from KM 13, KM 43, to KM 63.
The minister noted that port buffer zones have also been provided at Merak Port, Indah Kiat, BBJ, and Ciwandan areas, as well as several points on arterial roads as additional measures to maintain traffic flow and prevent vehicle congestion at port access points.
Additionally, the Transport Ministry has coordinated with various parties to prepare five ferry routes from Java to Sumatra during the 2026 Eid period, comprising Merak–Bakauheni, Ciwandan–PT Wijaya Karya Beton, Ciwandan–Bakauheni, BBJ Bojonegara–BBJ Muara Pilu, and PT Krakatau Bandar Samudera–Panjang as a contingency plan.
For ferry crossings from Java to Bali and West Nusa Tenggara during the 2026 Eid travel period, the Transport Ministry has coordinated with relevant parties to prepare ferry routes at Ketapang–Gilimanuk and Jangkar–Lembar.
“We also recognise the need to prepare for potential operational restrictions at ferry terminals from Java to Bali due to the coincidence of Nyepi celebrations and Eid al-Fitr,” said Dudy.
Commission V Chair Lasarus expressed support for the Transport Ministry’s measures and preparations for the 2026 Eid travel period, prioritising safety, security, comfort, and quality service delivery to the public during both the outbound and return travel periods.