It Is Predicted That Traffic Will Be Crowded, The Government Urges Travelers Not To Return Together On April 30 And May 1

Illustration of backflow (ANTARA)

Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi appealed to the public to avoid congestion at the peak of the second backflow on Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May 2023.

Therefore, the Minister of Transportation asked the public to take advantage of the return trip from Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (27 to 29 April).

"During these three days, Jasa Marga has given a 20 percent toll rate discount. Take advantage of the next three days for a return trip, not on Sundays or Mondays," said the Minister of Transportation, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, April 27.

Based on data, the Ministry of Transportation reported that as of Thursday or D+4 Lebaran 2023, there were still around 55.8 percent of vehicles that had not returned to Jakarta via the Trans Java Toll Road.

"We still have 5 more days until May 1, 2023, to maintain smooth backflow because there is still Lebaran Ketupat in Central Java, East Java, and Madura which falls on Sunday (30/4), so the tendency for people to travel back on Sunday or Monday," said the Minister of Transportation.

In addition to Lebaran Ketupat, he revealed that there are vehicle movements in agglomeration areas such as Jakarta, Bandung, and its surroundings this weekend, which will increase the number of vehicle movements that have the potential for total congestion if allowed.

In addition, to ensure that the handling of the backflow runs smoothly, the Minister of Transportation together with the Head of Traffic Police, Inspector General of Police Firman Shantyabudi, this Thursday held a coordination and review meeting at the Cikampek Utama KM 70 Toll Gate and monitored from the air by helicopter to see firsthand the situation of vehicle movements on the backflow on toll roads and arterial roads.

He hopes that the handling of backflow can be as good as possible on the homecoming flow.

"In the next few days there are still tests that must be passed. If this goes smoothly until May 1, God willing, this safe and memorable homecoming hope can be realized," he said.

On the same occasion, the National Police Headquarters reminded people who would travel back to always be vigilant and prioritize safety in driving.

"With a fairly smooth traffic to Jakarta, don't rush to get there and pay attention to the speed limit for vehicles," said Firman.

He said traffic engineering such as contra flow, one way and other engineering will continue to be carried out until the weekend while still looking at the situation and situational conditions.

He also reminded the public to ensure that the toll payment electronic card balance was still sufficient so that it did not cause queues because it had to fill the balance at the toll gate.