Return Flow to Surabaya Begins

The return flow of Eid 2024 to Surabaya, East Java, began with an increase in the arrival of passengers and private vehicles.

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

The atmosphere at Wonokromo Market in Surabaya, East Java, began to buzz on the second day of Eid al-Fitr or Friday (12/4/2024). However, not all stalls and small shops had started their businesses because the owners or managers were still celebrating Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijriah by returning to their hometowns.

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — The return flow to Surabaya, East Java, occurred starting Friday (12/4/2024). This is marked by an increase in the arrival of public transport passengers and private vehicles via toll roads and highways.

Although the return flow is starting to be visible, until Friday at 4:00 pm WIB, the traffic within the capital area of East Java is still calm and smooth.

An increase or density of traffic is expected to occur on Saturday-Sunday (April 13-14, 2024). A similar situation will also occur next weekend (April 20-21, 2024).

Also read: Backflow in Surabaya is getting busier

On Friday, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) also recorded the departure of 20,172 passengers from Operation Area 8 Surabaya. There are more arriving or returning passengers, namely 22,555 passengers.

"The return flow has started and we predict it will peak tomorrow and the day after," said Daop 8 Surabaya Public Relations Manager Luqman Arif.

Luqman continued, the reverse flow can be seen from the trend in sales of departure tickets on the two days of Eid and after Eid.

For tomorrow or Saturday, the number of departing passengers decreases to 18,145. On Sunday, there will be 19,162 departing passengers, and on Monday, 17,766 passengers will leave.

The arrival data for tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and Tubin is not yet stable, but is believed to be higher than the departure figure.

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

The atmosphere at Surabaya Gubeng Station in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday (2/4/2024). Surabaya Gubeng Station and Surabaya Pasarturi Station serve as the gateway to the 2024 Eid al-Fitr homecoming and return flow.

The backflow of private vehicles and public transportation is also starting to be felt on the Trans-Java Toll Road in the East Java region. At Warugunung Toll Gate, Surabaya, in the period D-7 to H-1 of Eid, 172,000 vehicles were recorded heading southwest (Madiun-Solo). That's the equivalent of 24,000-25,000 vehicles per day.

Meanwhile, 163,000 vehicles returned to Surabaya. That's the equivalent of 23,000-24,000 vehicles per day.

After Eid al-Fitr or the return flow starting on this Friday, the number of vehicles heading to Surabaya is predicted to increase to 25,000-30,000 vehicles per day. The increase in the return flow will occur until tomorrow and the day after.

At Kejapanan Utama Toll Gate, Pasuruan, heading south (Malang) and east (Probolinggo) as many as 206,000 vehicles or 29,000-30,000 vehicles per day. Meanwhile, 182,000 vehicles are heading to Sidoarjo-Surabaya or 26,000 vehicles per day.

After Eid, the number of vehicles heading to Sidoarjo-Surabaya until this weekend is predicted to reach 29,000 vehicles.

Also read: Reverse Flow Train Tickets from Malang Still Available

Traffic Director East Java Regional Police Senior Commissioner Komarudin appealed to residents to obey traffic rules, and not force themselves. "We emphasize the importance of rest for those who will return so that there is no potential for fatigue to reduce alertness," he said.

Komarudin also reminds the public to be aware of the potential for traffic jams and to avoid them by delaying their travels or taking alternative routes. Being stuck in traffic for a long time can also increase the risk of physical and mental fatigue, which reduces vigilance.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Four-wheeled vehicles from the direction of Surabaya stopped waiting for the traffic light at Simpang Empat Karanglo, Singosari, Malang Regency, East Java, on H+1 of Eid 1445 H, Friday (12/4/2024). The number of vehicles heading to Batu at this point was observed to have increased compared to the previous two days, including those traveling from the direction of the Transjawa Toll Road.

Meanwhile, Service Unit Coordinator Purabaya Terminal Ahmad Badik said that the peak of the homecoming flow had occurred on H-2 with the departure of 48,000 passengers and the arrival of 22,000 passengers.

The situation has started to turn around on Friday with the arrival of passengers predicted to be at least 23,000 people per day and will increase until the end of the weekend.

"The reverse flow is starting to be felt because the buses that departed one day after the second day of Eid were not full anymore, while those that came in were starting to get full," said Badik.