The Transportation Ministry has estimated that nearly 15 million holidaymakers from Greater Jakarta are to head to Central and West Java, in the largest exodus stream across the archipelago. There would also be a major outflow from cities to rural areas on islands outside of Java and also across islands, but the volume of travelers on densely populated Java remains the largest.

The annual affair is usually bittersweet for the travelers since their longings for their tranquil hometowns and reunions with parents, other relatives and childhood friends require long journeys. About 60 percent of holidaymakers still prefer to travel by road on buses or motorcycles, or in private cars, while only 9.5 percent choose to travel by air.

Many are reluctant to travel by airplane because of skyrocketing fares charged by airlines and travel agents.

This is when people rely on good road infrastructure and, for the first time in the country’s history, Idul Fitri travelers are to enjoy a trans-Java network of toll roads linking the western and eastern tips of the island. Let’s hope that the 933-kilometer road eases travel, as it already did during the last Christmas and new year holiday shortly after it was inaugurated.

There is much room for improvement from the last holiday. Although the infrastructure significantly reduced travel time, the half-ready rest areas made travelers carefully restrict their gasoline, food supply and toilet breaks.

The authorities seem to be better prepared now. The Transportation Ministry is to impose one-way traffic on the trans-Java road: All lanes are to be for eastbound traffic from Cikampek in West Java to East Brebes in Central Java, in addition to occasional counter flow from Cikarang to Cikampek, on the days leading up to Idul Fitri to keep up with the exodus stream. Afterward, all lanes are to head west on several days after Idul Fitri for the return trip.

The government and some private institutions have also allowed those who use motorcycles to travel free of charge by ships and buses for their safety. Those who take ships can even bring their motorcycles with them.

There are, of course, some concerns about the exodus this year. For instance, some warned about potential chaos that the one-way traffic policy may cause when people try to travel against the exodus stream. Some alternative routes have been prepared for them and hopefully they would be good enough.

All in all, the government has tried to improve the exodus in the past few years. Some unexpected problems may emerge, but at this time, let’s appreciate everyone who tries to make mudik more convenient for millions of people.

Let’s wish for safe travel for the holiday and hopefully we can return to work with a new spirit afterward.