Last week, Muslim communities worldwide celebrated Eid al-Fitr. In Indonesia, this holiday presents the perfect opportunity for many migrants to return home and reunite with their families, easing their longing for loved ones.
Compared to other holidays, Eid al-Fitr typically extends for a longer duration, with public holidays and additional weekend breaks totaling 10 days according to government regulations. This ample time off allows travelers to spend quality time with their families.
For the government, beyond fostering familial connections between urban migrants and their hometowns, there lies a significant hope for bolstering economic parity through the revitalization of economic activities in regional areas.
With advancements in road infrastructure and public transportation over the past decade, the government has remained optimistic about ensuring smooth connectivity between villages and cities.
However, as seen in previous years, the peak influx of travelers occurs in the week preceding and following Eid. This surge in mobility during a concentrated period inevitably leads to heightened road congestion, turning the journey home into a synonymous experience with traffic jams.
The resulting exposure to prolonged traffic congestion elevates travelers’ stress levels, hindering their ability to fully enjoy family gatherings.
The government’s task extends beyond merely reducing congestion; it also involves maintaining air quality.
Increased congestion corresponds to heightened pollution levels, with vehicle emissions releasing pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), posing health and environmental risks. Empirical studies demonstrate a direct correlation between traffic congestion and heightened emissions from motorized vehicles.
Exhaust Gas Illustration. Source: Freepik.com
Research by Chen et al. (2022) indicates that typical traffic congestion, characterized by vehicle speeds of less than 5 km/h, can lead to emissions levels 5–9 times higher than those observed when traffic flows freely (vehicle speeds exceeding 50 km/h). This underscores the imperative to address congestion effectively.
To preempt traffic congestion during the homecoming season, the government has reportedly implemented several traffic management measures, including contraflow, one-way systems, odd-even regulations, and restrictions on freight transport mobility. These initiatives complement ongoing efforts to improve logistics distribution through the construction of new roads, ports, and airports, thereby enhancing connectivity in previously isolated areas.
The government’s endeavors to ensure smooth travel during the homecoming period deserve acknowledgment. As travelers joyfully reunite with relatives, the government reaps a multitude of benefits, ranging from economic growth to enhanced public confidence.
The potential for this year’s homecoming event to see fewer traffic jams compared to previous years is attributed to better-prepared infrastructure and heightened government vigilance. However, it is crucial to ensure that any successes achieved during this period are sustained in the long term.
Eid al-Fitr homecoming, as the name suggests, signifies a return to one’s spiritual roots and presents an opportunity to restore our polluted environment. Therefore, success should not be measured solely by the effective management of traffic congestion and environmental concerns during the homecoming season but also by the continuation of these efforts as part of ongoing improvement initiatives.
The need for intervention
In addition to government commitment and vigilance, addressing congestion and air pollution requires a shift in people’s driving culture and behavior. There needs to be awareness that private vehicles contribute significantly to negative externalities.
Negative externalities arise when costs or burdens are imposed on other parties without consideration by the actor. For instance, greenhouse gas emissions affect the global community, while other pollutants and noise impact fellow road users and local communities.
In addition to raising awareness, government intervention is necessary to address these externalities, as proposed by Pigou (1920) in “The Economics of Welfare”.
In practice, various fiscal policy instruments can be employed to reduce congestion and emissions from the transportation sector (Timilsina & Dulal, 2008). These policies include congestion charges, fuel taxes, vehicle taxes, and emissions taxes. Additionally, the government can implement higher parking fees and provide subsidies for public transportation, environmentally friendly fuels, and vehicles.
Although several levies have been implemented in Indonesia, their aim has primarily been to generate state or regional income. Efforts to address externalities and influence driving behavior have not been adequately pursued.
Therefore, government policies should focus more on raising public awareness about environmental concerns and ensuring the availability of sufficient alternative public transportation options.
It is imperative that the Eid holiday and the transition to new leadership serve as a pivotal moment for our nation to prioritize environmental sustainability and become more environmentally conscious.
