INDOPOSCO.ID – The government, through Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, has projected that around 144 million people will travel during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday (1447 Hijri), based on the results of a national survey, with the potential for higher actual figures compared to last year.
“We conducted a survey indicating that 143.7 million people, or nearly 144 million, will travel. However, we anticipate a possible increase, as last year’s survey projected 146 million, while the actual figure reached 154 million,” Dudy said after a coordination meeting on Eid transportation preparations at the Grahadi State Building in Surabaya, East Java, on Friday (Feb. 20, 2026).
He explained that the Eid transportation command post will operate from March 13 to March 29, 2026, to coordinate all modes of transport, including land, sea, air and rail services.
According to the minister, a number of anticipatory measures have been prepared, including restrictions on the operation of heavy trucks with three or more axles, except for vehicles transporting essential goods, fuel and other critical supplies, in accordance with a joint ministerial decree.
In addition, the Transportation Ministry, in coordination with the National Police Traffic Corps (Korlantas), will implement traffic management schemes such as contraflow, one-way systems and odd-even license plate restrictions on toll roads expected to experience congestion.
Regarding the Nyepi Day of Silence in Bali on March 19, 2026, Dudy said crossings to the island will be temporarily suspended, with a delaying system and buffer zones put in place.
“We will inform the public about the temporary port closures so they can adjust their travel schedules,” he said, as reported by Antara.
The government will also implement a Work From Anywhere (WFA) or Flexible Working Arrangement (FWA) policy on March 16–17 for the outbound exodus and March 25-26 for the return flow. The policy has been approved by the President and the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry.
“The policy is expected to help distribute public mobility so it does not concentrate on certain dates, thereby ensuring safer and smoother travel,” he added.
Meanwhile, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said the provincial administration is working in synergy with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) to ensure that Eid transportation services run safely and smoothly.
“We are building detailed coordination to ensure that land, sea, air, rail and toll road transportation during Eid operates safely, smoothly and comfortably,” Khofifah said. (aro)
