Strengthening Transportation Infrastructure Becomes President Prabowo’s Focus in Welcoming Christmas and New Year
By: Aulia Pratama*
Welcoming the 2024/2025 Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has set the strengthening of transportation infrastructure as a top priority. The President emphasized that thorough preparation through synergy across ministries and institutions is the key to ensuring that the public can enjoy the Nataru holidays safely, smoothly, and comfortably.
This approach reflects President Prabowo’s vision to make the Nataru momentum not only a recreational opportunity for the community, but also a driver of the national economy. With the flow of mobility predicted to increase significantly, the government has prepared various strategic steps to ensure smooth transportation and anticipate various challenges that may arise.
One of the concrete steps taken is the temporary suspension of toll road and national road preservation work from D-10 to D+5 of Nataru. Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, ensured that all toll roads and national roads will be in optimal condition. A total of 124 rest areas have also been prepared to support the needs of drivers, while 120.4 kilometers of functional toll roads will be opened, covering important sections on the islands of Sumatra and Java.
The move not only ensures smooth traffic flow, but also addresses the challenges of public safety and comfort during the holiday season. The government has even identified 550 landslide-prone areas and 298 flood-prone areas. To anticipate this potential disaster, 393 standby posts and hundreds of heavy equipment have been deployed to strategic locations, involving close coordination between the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Transportation, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and other agencies.
In terms of public transportation, the readiness of infrastructure in various modes has also received great attention. Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, said that thousands of vehicles ranging from buses, trains, ships, to planes have been prepared to accommodate the movement of people. Not only that, a free homecoming program involving buses, trains, and ships was also launched to reduce the burden of road traffic and improve safety.
Other innovative steps include contra flow arrangements in certain sections, provision of buffer zones in ports, and intensive supervision of land, sea, air, and rail transportation modes. All of these steps are a form of government responsibility in ensuring the safety and smoothness of public travel.
The Ministry of Transportation also emphasized the importance of risk mitigation, especially related to extreme weather changes that often occur at the end of the year. Information from BMKG will be a guide for the public to plan safe trips. In addition, regular safety inspections are carried out to ensure that each mode of transportation is operational.
The presence of various parties, including transportation operators, local governments, and private sector associations, is a determining factor in the success of the implementation of Nataru transportation. Deputy Minister of Transportation, Suntana, emphasized that intensive coordination during the Nataru holiday period is very necessary. He reminded that the potential for community movement is estimated to reach more than 110 million people, so careful planning must be accompanied by precise execution.
The increase in the capacity of transportation infrastructure also shows the government’s commitment to making the end-of-year holiday moment a means of proving the efficiency of public services. With the addition of infrastructure such as functional toll roads and free homecoming programs, the public is expected to be able to directly feel the real benefits of the development carried out.
Technology and innovation support is also an integral part of strengthening transportation. The government encourages the use of digital-based applications to monitor traffic flow, book transportation tickets, and get real-time weather information. This initiative is expected to provide a more efficient travel experience for the community.
Through these strategic policies, the government is optimistic that it can present a different Nataru holiday experience, by prioritizing safety, comfort, and sustainability. President Prabowo Subianto also reminded that the Nataru moment is an opportunity to build a spirit of unity and togetherness in society.
The public is expected to fully support various government policies in securing the 2024/2025 Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays. This support is not only in the form of compliance with traffic regulations and travel recommendations, but also through collective awareness to maintain safety, comfort, and order together.
The public must realize that the success of organizing the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holidays does not only depend on the government’s efforts, but also requires an active role from each individual. By supporting policies that have been designed, such as the use of functional toll roads, adequate rest areas, and free homecoming facilities, the public contributes to creating a safe and smooth journey. In addition, support can also be realized by following weather information from BMKG, maintaining disciplined behavior on the highway, and respecting other transportation users. Collaboration between the government and the public not only smoothes the flow of homecoming, but also strengthens national solidarity in celebrating special moments with joy.
The success of the implementation of the 2024/2025 Nataru transportation will not only be proof of the readiness of the national transportation infrastructure, but also a reflection of the government’s solidity in serving the needs of the community. With the support of all parties, Indonesia is ready to welcome the end-of-year holidays with optimism and new hopes.
)*The author is a Public Policy and Transportation Observer
