Palu Terminal Records 117 Percent Increase in Passengers During the Nataru Holiday

JAKARTA - The management authority of the Mamboro Palu Terminal, Central Sulawesi, recorded a 117 percent increase in the number of passengers using land transportation during the 2025 Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays.

"There was a significant spike, the activity at the terminal was quite dense, both in terms of vehicles and passengers during the Christmas holiday period compared to the same period last year," said the Supervisor of the Type A Mamboro Terminal Service Unit, Waldi Sangkota, as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, January 4.

He explained that until the beginning of January 2026, the number of vehicles had increased by 163 percent and passengers by 117 percent, his party had also prepared an intercity-interprovincial (AKAP) transportation fleet during the Nataru holiday with the main route of Palu-Makassar, Palu-Manado, Palu-Gorontalo, and Palu-Toraja.

From these routes, the destinations of Palu-Makassar, Palu-Manado, and Palu-Toraja still dominate passenger movements.

"Since December 26, 2025, an average of 24 units of the fleet depart every day from the Mamboro Terminal with a passenger volume of around 300 to 400 people per day, including adult and child passengers," he said.

The departure schedule of the fleet starts at 07.00 Wita, while the arrival of vehicles takes place between 11.00 and 16.00 Wita.

In order to anticipate a surge in passengers, a number of bus companies have prepared additional trips in the afternoon and evening, although the regular schedule is generally carried out in the morning.

He explained that the peak of the Nataru return flow is estimated to occur on Saturday (3/1) with the number of passengers increasing up to twice as much as usual.

"We estimate that the number of passengers departing could reach around 700 to 800 people at the peak of the return flow," said Waldi.

He also appealed to passengers to comply with safety rules during travel, including a ban on carrying dangerous goods such as gas cylinders into vehicles.

In addition, two-wheeled vehicles that are transported are also not allowed to carry fuel in the tank.

"This rule is a standard operating procedure (SOP) that is applied to every Lebaran and Nataru transportation for the sake of mutual safety," he said.