NTB Becomes the Spotlight of the 2026 Eid Transportation Readiness, the Minister of Transportation Focuses on Crossing
JAKARTA - The readiness of the 2026 Lebaran Transportation in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is a serious concern for the central government.
Because, NTB's position as an island province where community mobility is very dependent on crossing and air transportation.
Therefore, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi met with NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal to discuss strengthening transportation services, especially crossing transportation, to anticipate the surge in homecoming traffic and tourist movement during the 2026 Lebaran period.
During the meeting, the Minister of Transportation emphasized that the mobility of the community is very dependent on crossing and air transportation, which is supported by the national road network due to NTB's position as an island province.
In addition, continued Dudy, NTB is also known as one of the national flagship tourism destinations which are expected to experience a significant increase in movement during the Lebaran holiday.
"It is predicted that there will be an increase in movement not only for homecoming activities, but also used by the public for tourism," said Dudy in an official statement, Sunday, March 1.
Based on the National Eid Transportation Survey, the movement of people on Eid Transportation 2026 is estimated to reach 146 million people. Of this number, the movement originating from NTB Province as the origin of the pilgrims is predicted to be 1.58 million people, while NTB as the destination is estimated to reach 1.22 million people.
In line with these projections, the crossing ports in NTB are predicted to be one of the busiest national nodes, especially the Lembar Port. This port is in the top three busiest crossing ports with an estimated 1.1 million passengers during the Lebaran Transportation period.
"In addition to the aspects of operational readiness and safety of crossing, it is also necessary to anticipate the potential for density to and from the Lembar Crossing Port area by implementing good traffic management, arranging the flow of vehicles in and out, including the availability of parking lots around the port area," said Dudy.
To ensure the smooth running of services, Dudy encouraged the strengthening of coordination and synergy between the central government, provincial governments, the TNI, and the National Police.
The readiness of the fleet, docks, and passenger and vehicle flow arrangements is also a major concern to anticipate the surge in travelers and tourists.
"The aspect of maritime safety must also always be a priority. Maritime inspections of ships, weather monitoring, fleet and pier readiness, and supervision of cargo capacity must always be carried out," he said.
For information, NTB is also recorded as one of the provinces of destination of the Free Homecoming Program via the Sea Route.
A total of 450 passengers will be facilitated on the Lembar-Surabaya route with a period of implementation from March 11 to April 5, 2026.
Therefore, Dudy hopes for the support of the NTB Provincial Government to ensure the readiness of public transportation services and feeders to the departure point to avoid congestion.
In addition to crossings, the potential for congestion on arterial roads due to the overflow of market activities and tourist areas is also a focus of anticipation.
There are 12 market spill points and a number of major tourist locations that have the potential to cause congestion.
The optimization of rest areas, including the use of 115 mosques and public facilities as temporary rest areas, is also recommended to support the smooth flow of homecoming.
"Increased safety, appropriate policy support, strengthening traffic regulations, and strong synergy between the Ministry of Transportation, the NTB Provincial Government, the TNI, the National Police, and all stakeholders, including the community, are determining elements in realizing a safe, smooth, and safe Eid Transportation 2026," said the Minister of Transportation.