The Ministry Of Transportation Anticipates Congestion And Regulates Logistics Transportation During Homecoming 2024

Special Staff to the Minister of Transportation and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Adita Irawati. (Photo: Doc. FMB9)

JAKARTA - The government is preparing to face a surge in Eid 2024 travelers with various strategies, ranging from restrictions on logistics transportation to traffic engineering.

In the Dialogue of the Merdeka Barat 9 Forum (FMB9) with the theme '193.6 Million Homecoming People, How Does Government Anticipate?', Monday 25 March, the Special Staff of the Minister of Transportation and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Adita Irawati, said that the government had prepared a series of strategies to ensure the smooth traffic and safety of travelers.

"The government through the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), and the Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police (Kakorlantas Polri), have issued a Joint Decree (SKB) on Road Traffic Regulation and Crossing During the Homecoming Flow and Backflow of Eid 2024/1445 H", he said.

In the SKB, it is stated that to unravel the density at the peak time predicted at the homecoming and backflows in 2024, the government will implement a traffic restriction and engineering method. He also emphasized that the policy was the main goal of realizing a comfortable homecoming, not limiting people.

For restrictions, the government has announced operational restrictions on goods vehicles, particularly those with three or more masses, from April 5 to 16, 2024.

"This vehicle is known to move slowly and has the potential to cause congestion. However, exceptions are given for the transportation of basic goods such as basic necessities, fuel, and delivery of money," added Adita.

Meanwhile, for traffic engineering, he continued, his party has prepared three schemes, namely contra flow, one-way, and odd-even. This scheme will be implemented based on actual traffic conditions during the homecoming period. Previously, this scheme had also been prepared during the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year (Nataru) holidays. However, the situation on the ground turned out to be still conducive, so it would not be implemented.

Meanwhile, Adita also appealed to travelers who plan to use motorbikes to rethink their options. As in the previous year, the government again provided free homecoming which this time could carry around 13 thousand motorcycles.

"The free homecoming provided by the government and SOEs is an opportunity for the public to enjoy a comfortable and safe homecoming. Registration is still open until now, the public is advised to make the best use of this program," he explained.

Basically, the government cannot prohibit people from using two wheels. However, appeals and suggestions continue to be conveyed so that travelers choose a safer mode of transportation.

Intensive coordination is also continuously carried out with various parties, from the police to public transportation operators, to regulate increasing public transport capacity and ensuring safety is a top priority.

With careful preparation, the government hopes that this year's homecoming will run smoothly and comfortably for all travelers. Safety remains a priority, and cooperation between the government, operators, and the community is the key to the success of this homecoming anticipation.