Transportation Minister warns of higher-than-expected Eid travel volume, urges vehicle maintenance, and notes the enactment of contraflow traffic engineering.

Indonesia’s Eid al-Fitr mass exodus has exceeded the government’s expectations, with predictions that the number of people travelling could continue to rise. The Ministry of Transportation initially forecast that the movement of people during the Eid al-Fitr holiday period would reach 123.8 million people, an increase of 14.2% compared to last year’s figures. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi highlighted a variety of factors that could increase the movement of people this time, including the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, a boost to the economy, and positive perceptions among the public about the Eid transportation plans. Most of the travellers originate from Java Island, with the majority being from East Java, Central Java, Greater Jakarta, West Java, and North Sumatra. The highest number of travel destinations are Central Java, East Java, West Java, Greater Jakarta, and Yogyakarta. The peak day for homecoming is predicted to last from 18 to 21 April. The Ministry of Transportation urges people who use personal vehicles to ensure that their vehicles and selves are in good condition. The state railway company KAI confirmed that Wednesday was the day with the highest level of traveller congestion so far, with all train tickets being sold out, and on-the-spot purchases no longer being available.