The holiday spirit was in full swing during Christmas 2023, witnessing a bustling surge in community activities. A staggering 1,272,434 vehicles embarked on journeys departing the Jabotabek areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi, spanning the period from seven days before to just a day ahead of Christmas Day 2023, covering Monday to Sunday (December 18-24, 2023).
This revelation comes directly from PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk (JSMR). The figure encapsulates the combined traffic flow from four Toll Gates (GT) Barrier/Main, namely GT Cikupa (heading towards Merak), GT Ciawi (directed to Puncak), GT Cikampek Utama (leading to Trans Java), and GT Kalihurip Utama (pointing to Bandung).
Lisye Octaviana, the Corporate Communication and Community Development Group Head of Jasa Marga, shared that the total traffic volume exiting the Jabotabek region witnessed a notable 27.68% increase compared to regular traffic (996,555 vehicles) during the same timeframe. This surge also marked a 10.23% rise compared to the Christmas 2022 period, reaching 1,154,391 vehicles.
Concerning the traffic distribution departing Jabotabek in three main directions, the majority comprised 621,609 vehicles (48.85%) moving eastward (Trans Java and Bandung), 359,766 vehicles (28.27%) heading westward (Merak), and 291,059 vehicles (22.87%) traveling southward (Puncak).
With that, she strongly advised road users to carefully plan their return to Jabotabek to evade potential congestion, especially on the anticipated peak day for the return traffic, slated for Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
“For those with some flexibility in their schedule, adjusting their travel time can help avoid traffic buildup on the expected peak return day of Christmas 2023,” expressed Lisye in a written statement on Monday (December 25, 2023).
Furthermore, Jasa Marga offered guidance to toll road users, emphasizing thorough preparation for the upcoming travel period encompassing the Christmas and New Year (Nataru) holiday 2023/2024.
Prior to entering the toll road, it is crucial to ensure both the vehicle and driver are in optimal condition. Adhering to health protocols, such as wearing masks at rest areas, maintaining sufficient fuel and electronic money balance, and following the guidance of field officers are all vital aspects to guarantee a smooth journey.”
