RI Govt urges safe fleets for Eid return travel surge

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s transport ministry on Tuesday urged operators to ensure vehicles are roadworthy and crews fit, as millions travel during the peak return flow of the Eid al-Fitr season.Director General of Land Transportation Aan Suhanan said the measure is critical to improving safety and security during the 2026 holiday return period.

“This is vital to improve public safety and security during the 2026 Eid holiday return travels,” he said in a statement issued in Jakarta.

He said all operators, including bus and ferry companies, must conduct thorough inspections before deploying fleets into service during the peak travel period.

“Every operator is also required to ensure that vehicle crews, such as drivers and staff on duty, are healthy and fit to work,” Suhanan added.

He stressed that preparedness is key to ensuring safe and smooth travel, as traffic volumes surge during peak return days, raising risks of accidents and driver fatigue.

Suhanan also warned of adverse weather, citing forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency indicating potential heavy rain and strong winds across multiple regions.

Affected areas may include parts of Sumatra, Java, Greater Jakarta, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and Papua during the coming days.

Baca juga: Ministry advises travelers to use WFA to avoid return flow peak

“Hydrometeorological disasters such as localized flooding, landslides, widespread floods and high sea waves could occur,” he said, urging heightened caution.

He said these risks pose significant challenges for the transport sector, requiring stricter monitoring of vehicle operations and environmental conditions.

“We hope all parties will monitor weather conditions and increase vigilance while driving during the peak of the 2026 Eid return flow,” he added.

Baca juga: Over 918 thousand vehicles return to Jakarta as of D+3 Eid

The ministry has projected that about 143.9 million people will travel during the 2026 Eid holiday season, one of the world’s largest annual migrations.

Authorities say the mass movement is expected to stimulate regional economies, as spending rises across transportation, retail and tourism sectors nationwide.

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said peak return flows are forecast in several waves on March 24, 25 and 27, 2026, prompting intensified traffic management efforts.