The arus balik Lebaran 2025 has officially begun, with significant traffic congestion reported on the Tol Jakarta-Cikampek (Japek) heading towards Jakarta on the night of Wednesday, April 2, 2025. As of 18:44 WIB, Jasamarga reported increasing traffic volume due to vehicles entering and exiting rest areas along the route.
According to Jasamarga's updates, congestion was particularly notable between KM 64 and KM 62, where vehicles were moving slowly as they navigated the busy rest areas. "Dawuan KM 64-KM 62 arah Jakarta padat, kepadatan volume lalin masuk keluar Rest Area. Dawuan KM 61-Karawang Timur KM 59 padat, kepadatan volume lalin. Karawang Timur KM 58-KM 52 arah Jakarta padat, kepadatan volume lalin masuk keluar Rest Area," Jasamarga reported on their official X account.
Monitoring from CCTV cameras confirmed that congestion began around KM 60, with vehicles often coming to a stop. However, traffic resumed normal flow after passing the rest area. In contrast, at the Gerbang Tol Cikampek Utama, queues were forming for vehicles coming from the Tol Cipali towards Jakarta, although the overall traffic remained relatively smooth.
The traffic situation was echoed by reports from various news outlets, indicating that the congestion was a clear sign of the arus balik, or post-holiday return flow, which typically follows the Lebaran festivities. As families return to Jakarta from their hometowns, the volume of vehicles on the road increases significantly, leading to bottlenecks, especially near rest areas where drivers take breaks.
In the broader context of the holiday travel season, the police have been actively monitoring traffic conditions as part of their Operasi Ketupat 2025 initiative, which aims to ensure safety and smooth travel during this busy period. This operation has now reached its tenth day, and authorities have noted a significant increase in vehicle volume entering and exiting the capital.
At the Gerbang Tol Cikampek Utama, for instance, a total of 50,397 vehicles were recorded exiting towards the Tol Trans Jawa, while 17,835 vehicles entered Jakarta. Meanwhile, at the Gerbang Tol Cikupa heading towards Merak, 45,482 vehicles exited and 36,424 entered. The Gerbang Tol Ciawi towards Bogor reported 35,597 vehicles exiting and 28,777 entering, while at Gerbang Tol Kalihurip Utama towards Bandung, the figures were 40,179 exiting and 25,080 entering Jakarta.
In terms of safety, the police reported 241 traffic accidents during the tenth day of Operasi Ketupat, resulting in 24 fatalities, 46 serious injuries, and 272 minor injuries. The material losses from these incidents are estimated at Rp 745,900,000. These statistics highlight the importance of road safety during such high-traffic periods.
Meanwhile, the movement of passengers across various modes of transportation has also seen a significant uptick. A total of 807,621 passengers utilized different transport options, with 147,619 using land transport, 173,198 utilizing ASDP ferries, 184,594 flying, 84,785 traveling through ports, and 217,425 riding trains. This surge reflects the increased mobility as people return to urban centers after the holiday.
The police have implemented vehicle restrictions to manage traffic flow better. Vehicles with three axles or more are prohibited from operating from March 24 to April 8, 2025, except for certain logistics vehicles, including those transporting essential goods. This measure aims to reduce congestion and enhance safety on the roads.
Authorities are urging travelers to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and to be mindful of their physical state before embarking on their journeys. They recommend that drivers maintain safe distances, stay focused while driving, and make use of rest areas to avoid fatigue. Additionally, travelers are advised to check their electronic toll balances to prevent delays at toll gates.
For real-time information on traffic conditions, travelers can utilize applications like Google Maps, which can help ensure a smoother journey during this busy travel period. As the arus balik continues, the collaboration between traffic authorities, police, and the public will play a crucial role in managing the flow of vehicles and ensuring safety on the roads.
