Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, has strongly urged travelers to steer clear of the projected peak dates for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr (Lebaran) return traffic in 2026. These critical dates, identified as March 24, 28, and 29, 2026, are expected to experience significant congestion. To ensure a smoother journey, Minister Dudy recommended that commuters plan their return travel as early as March 23 or strategically utilize the designated collective leave periods and the government’s Work From Anywhere (WFA) initiative.
Speaking from the Jasamarga Tollroad Command Center (JMTC) on Sunday, March 22, Minister Purwagandhi highlighted the impending traffic challenges. “Based on the calculations obtained from JMTC data, the peak of the return flow is anticipated to fall on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with an estimated volume exceeding 285,000 vehicles,” Dudy stated. This projected volume on March 24, 2026, is notably higher than the peak outbound traffic recorded on March 18, 2026, which stood at 270,315 vehicles, indicating a more intense return period.
To mitigate the expected gridlock, Dudy reiterated the importance of staggered travel. He advised the public to return to the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek) on March 23, 2026, by taking advantage of collective leave, or during the period of March 25-27, 2025, by utilizing the government’s Work From Anywhere (WFA) advice. The Minister emphasized that distributing traffic flow would alleviate congestion, stating, “Avoiding the peak return period will lead to a more even distribution of traffic, allowing the public to enjoy a more comfortable travel experience and bypass potential bottlenecks that often occur during the return flow.”
Further reinforcing the call for strategic travel, PT Jasa Marga President Director Rivan A. Purwantono encouraged travelers to benefit from special toll tariff discounts available during the Eid al-Fitr return period. “We urge all members of the public planning their return journey to select the travel times recommended by the government,” Rivan stated, aligning with the Minister’s advice.
Purwantono also reminded commuters to take full advantage of a substantial 30% toll tariff discount. This offer will be valid for two days during the return flow, specifically on March 26-27, 2026, across nine Jasa Marga Group toll road sections for continuous travel. He emphasized that the objective behind this incentive is consistent with the advice from both the Minister of Transportation and the Head of the National Police Traffic Corps: to effectively manage the distribution of return traffic volume and ensure a significantly more comfortable journey for all travelers.
In preparation for the bustling return flow, Jasa Marga is taking extensive measures to guarantee seamless service. Rivan detailed the company’s commitment to strengthening operations across key toll road sections. This includes optimizing toll gate performance, ensuring the readiness of toll road service fleets, implementing situational traffic management strategies, and maintaining 24-hour preparedness of on-site personnel to promptly address any issues.
Summary
Menteri Perhubungan, Dudy Purwagandhi, mengimbau masyarakat untuk menghindari puncak arus balik Lebaran 2026 yang diproyeksikan terjadi pada 24, 28, dan 29 Maret 2026. Puncak arus balik pada 24 Maret 2026 diperkirakan mencapai lebih dari 285.000 kendaraan, melampaui volume arus mudik. Untuk mencegah kemacetan, Dudy menyarankan perjalanan kembali lebih awal pada 23 Maret atau memanfaatkan cuti bersama serta kebijakan Work From Anywhere (WFA) pada 25-27 Maret.
PT Jasa Marga mendukung imbauan ini dengan menawarkan diskon tarif tol sebesar 30% selama dua hari, yaitu pada 26-27 Maret 2026, di sembilan ruas tol Jasa Marga Group. Direktur Utama Jasa Marga, Rivan A. Purwantono, menyatakan bahwa insentif ini bertujuan untuk mendistribusikan volume lalu lintas. Jasa Marga juga akan mengoptimalkan kinerja gerbang tol, menyiapkan armada layanan, dan menyiagakan personel 24 jam untuk menjamin kelancaran arus balik.