Govt orders nationwide transit safety checks for year-end holidays

Semarang, C. Java (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi has ordered an intensive, nationwide wave of safety inspections across all transportation sectors to ensure vehicles and vessels are fully fit for operation during the 2026 Christmas and 2027 New Year travel period.

The directive mandates thorough ramp checks—rigorous operational and airworthiness evaluations—covering land, rail, sea, ferry, and air transport to guarantee strict safety standards for the public.

"We want to ensure that everyone traveling during the Christmas and New Year period can use transport that is safe, secure and fit for operation. Therefore, safety inspections must be conducted thoroughly," Purwagandhi said in a statement on Saturday.

The Transportation Ministry has mobilized specialized directorates and regional units to execute targeted oversight across all sectors.

In the land transport sector, the Directorate General of Land Transportation is accelerating bus roadworthiness inspections utilizing the digital "MitraDarat" application.

Integrated with national licensing data, the platform enables provincial and municipal agencies to digitally track compliance, following last year's holiday season when authorities performed 112,104 inspections—vastly exceeding initial targets.

For maritime and ferry transport, seaworthiness inspections for 2,140 vessels are scheduled from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 2026, across 132 Technical Implementation Units (UPT).

The sweep encompasses 511 passenger ships, 523 roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels, 123 high-speed craft, 162 traditional vessels, and 821 tourist boats, with mandatory spot checks enforced prior to issuing Port Clearances (SPB).

In aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has slated ramp inspections across 20 airports in three phases from Dec. 1, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027.

Safety readiness assessments will also cover 223 airports, evaluating movement areas, electrical systems, and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) readiness.

In the railway sector, the Directorate General of Railways is conducting Minimum Service Standards (MSS) checks and infrastructure inspections from November through December.

During the holiday peak, daily service frequencies are projected to reach 376 intercity trips, 426 regional urban trips, and 2,107 commuter trips.

Emphasizing collective accountability, Purwagandhi called for strict adherence from operators and close collaboration among central and local government stakeholders to guarantee a safe and smooth holiday travel experience.

"The successful execution of Christmas and New Year transport services requires discipline from all transport operators, as well as strong coordination between the central government, local governments and relevant stakeholders," Purwagandhi emphasized.

Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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