By: Nabila Almira Osaka * )
The New Year holiday momentum is always an important period for Indonesian people. Every year, millions of people travel to gather with family, go on vacation, or follow religious and social traditions. In this context, the national transportation system has a vital role to ensure the smooth mobilization of the community, while maintaining aspects of safety, security, and comfort during the holiday period. For 2024, the government has taken a number of strategic steps to ensure the readiness of the transportation system to face the high flow of community mobility.
In recent months, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) in collaboration with various parties has conducted a comprehensive inspection of transportation facilities and infrastructure, such as toll roads, national roads, airports, ports, train stations, and bus terminals. This inspection was carried out to ensure that all facilities are in optimal condition.
For example, on land routes, the government has repaired roads in various strategic locations that are the main routes for homecoming during the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) period. The Trans-Java, Trans-Sumatra toll roads, and main roads in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua have been improved in quality. Jasa Marga also reported that all toll gates and rest areas have increased their capacity to anticipate the surge in vehicles.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi emphasized the importance of cross-ministerial cooperation to ensure smooth transportation during the Christmas and New Year holidays. According to him, the transportation sector must prioritize the safety and comfort of travelers and tourists, whether using land, sea, or air transportation.
In addition to ensuring the readiness of infrastructure and public transportation operations, the government is also focusing on traffic management. The police together with the Ministry of Transportation and local governments have developed a traffic management strategy to prevent congestion at vulnerable points. Technology-based traffic control systems, such as the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), are implemented on various main toll roads.
Traffic engineering policies, such as one way, contra flow, and odd-even systems, are also prepared as anticipatory measures if there is a surge in vehicles on toll roads. On the other hand, the government continues to urge the public to utilize information technology, such as traffic monitoring applications, to plan trips better.
Deputy Minister of Transportation Suntana emphasized that although this task is routinely carried out annually, its implementation still receives serious attention. Suntana ensured that his party had conducted field visits to a number of transportation facilities in East Java, such as Juanda Airport, Surabaya Terminal, and Gubeng Station. According to Suntana, from the results of the check, this year’s readiness is quite good and continues to be maintained.
He also appealed to the public to buy tickets online to avoid ticket scalping practices. Suntana also emphasized the importance of maintaining health and complying with the rules set by the government during the trip. Facing potential challenges such as bad weather during the rainy season, the Ministry of Transportation has prepared anticipatory steps, including minimum service standard SOPs to ensure that the public continues to be served even if there are unexpected obstacles.
The use of digital technology is one of the important innovations in supporting community mobilization during the Nataru period. Various digital platforms are now used to make it easier for people to get information related to transportation. Applications such as Traveloka, Tiket.com, and KAI Access make it easier to buy tickets online.
In addition, Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid received a visit from Minister of Transportation, Dudy Purwagandhi, in Jakarta to discuss joint strategies to support smooth travel for the community. Minister Meutya Hafid explained that the telecommunications sector has a vital role in supporting community mobility during the Nataru holidays.
She ensured that her party had coordinated with telecommunications operators to ensure the quality of cellular networks, internet, and data communications remained stable, especially on transportation routes that were predicted to be congested. In addition to ensuring smooth communication and transportation, Meutya Hafid also reminded the public to be aware of the spread of hoax news that often appears during long holidays.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital has also launched the online information channel Mudikpedia (https://s.id/mudikpedia) as a supporting facility for people who want to plan their trips. This application provides important information such as homecoming route maps, online transportation services, and emergency contacts that can be easily accessed. Through strong synergy between Kemkomdigi and the Ministry of Transportation, the government is optimistic that this year’s Nataru holiday can run smoothly, safely, and comfortably for the public.
The government’s success in ensuring the readiness of the Nataru momentum transportation system cannot be separated from the close coordination between various institutions. The Ministry of Transportation is working with the Ministry of PUPR, the Ministry of Health, BMKG, and the Police to prepare an integrated operational plan. At the regional level, the transportation agency and related agencies are also actively participating in making this program a success.
Cross-sector coordination forums held routinely during Christmas and New Year ensure that all parties have the same understanding regarding their respective duties and responsibilities. In addition, the government also opens communication with the public through complaint services to accommodate complaints and input during the holiday period.
In addition to government efforts, the community also has an important role in supporting the smooth mobilization of Nataru. Awareness to plan trips carefully, obey traffic rules, and maintain order in public facilities greatly helps create a conducive atmosphere.
)* The author is the Editor of the Jakarta Youth Innovation Youth Association Media
