By: Ardiansyah Mahendra *)
The 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays (Nataru) are one of the biggest year-end mobility opportunities for Indonesians. Every holiday season, travel volumes increase significantly, across land, sea, air, and ferry routes. Classic challenges such as traffic congestion, soaring ticket prices, and limited public transportation capacity typically overshadow the long holiday period. However, this year, the government is presenting a different, more progressive approach that prioritizes public convenience by offering discounts on toll fees and various modes of transportation. This policy reflects the government’s ongoing agenda to ensure a smooth, affordable, and safe holiday season.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto explained that toll discounts are one of the main incentives prepared by the government. He said that the 10 to 20 percent tariff reduction will be applied on the dates predicted to be peak vehicle movements, namely December 22, 23, and 31, 2025. According to him, the incentive is designed not only to provide cost relief but also to reduce traffic congestion by distributing travel volumes outside peak hours and dates. This discount applies to 26 toll roads spread across four regional clusters: Greater Jakarta, Trans-Java, Non-Java, and Trans-Sumatra, so that its impact reaches a wider national connectivity.
This fare discount is becoming increasingly important as projections from the Toll Road Authority indicate a more than 30 percent increase in traffic compared to normal conditions. Mardiansyah, EVP Corporate Secretary of Hutama Karya, explained that the discounts on several vital Trans-Sumatra sections are designed to help people choose more flexible travel times. He believes that when road users have alternative times with lower fares, congestion on main routes can be distributed more evenly. This approach has proven relevant to the mobility needs of people across Sumatra’s provinces, which often experience significant congestion during long holidays.
The discount policy doesn’t stop at the toll road sector. The government is continuing the program of cutting intermodal transportation fares, as implemented during last year’s Christmas and New Year holidays. Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana explained that the discount on economy class airfares will range from 13 to 14 percent from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026. According to him, the discount is specifically offered to all passengers in the hope of promoting equitable mobility and strengthening the reliability of flight services during surges in demand. This measure also reflects the government’s concern for the stability of airfare prices, a frequent public complaint during the holidays.
For maritime transportation, PT Pelni is offering a 20 percent discount on ship ticket purchases between December 17, 2025, and January 10, 2026. A similar program is being implemented by ASDP for ferry services throughout Indonesia, ensuring that ship and ferry users receive the same benefits. Airlangga Hartarto added that the government is also providing additional support in the form of tariff cuts of up to 100 percent for the port sector to ensure more efficient operational services during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. This incentive is intended not only for passengers but also to support the smooth distribution of logistics and vehicles.
In land transportation, the government is offering the largest discount on economy-class train fares, amounting to 30 percent for departures between December 22, 2025, and January 10, 2026. Airlangga explained that this policy is aimed at reaching more than 1.5 million passengers, enabling lower-middle-income families to enjoy affordable travel. Trains have long been the backbone of medium- and long-distance travel, especially for those seeking safe, comfortable, and traffic-free transportation. With significant fare discounts, rail travel accessibility is becoming increasingly inclusive.
All of these discount policies are based on a strong legal basis, namely a Joint Decree of four Ministers/Heads of Agencies: the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Finance, the State-Owned Enterprises Agency (BP BUMN), and the Indonesian Transportation Agency (BPI) Danantara. The Joint Decree, issued on October 28, 2025, mandates state-owned transportation companies to lower fares as part of the national economic stimulus during the holiday season. This policy demonstrates the government’s focus not only on mobility but also on accelerating economic activity by increasing population movement and the distribution of goods across various regions.
The 2025 Christmas and New Year discount policy has a broader impact on equitable mobility. By lowering travel costs, tourist visits to destinations can increase, ultimately strengthening the local tourism sector. Interregional connectivity will also be strengthened, while the distribution of goods and logistics will run more smoothly thanks to the efficiency of sea and ferry transportation, which is supported by tariffs.
The government’s toll and transportation discounts for the 2025 Christmas and New Year holidays are a strategic step demonstrating a strong commitment to public service. With measured, data-driven policies that address the real needs of the community, the government ensures that the year-end holidays are more comfortable, affordable, and safe. This policy is not simply a seasonal incentive, but a reflection of the government’s presence facilitating the mobility of its citizens with an inclusive and welfare-oriented approach.
*) Transportation and Public Policy Observer