Deputy Governor of North Sumatra Leads 2026 National Transportation Day Ceremony

DELISERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - Deputy Governor of North Sumatra Surya led the 2026 National Transportation Day ceremony at Astaka Field on Jalan Pancing, Deliserdang, on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Numerous civil servants and transportation-sector personnel attended the solemn and dignified ceremony.

On the occasion, Deputy Governor of North Sumatra Surya delivered the address of Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi. In his address, the minister emphasized that the transportation sector plays a far greater role than simply managing vehicles and building infrastructure.

Transportation connects islands, cities and villages, as well as production centers and markets. This connectivity is an important component in supporting public mobility while facilitating economic activities in various regions.

The government also continues to ensure that transportation development provides direct benefits to the public. Improving connectivity is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods while increasing the efficiency of distribution.

Connectivity Aims to Reduce Logistics Costs

In his address, the Transportation Minister also referred to President Prabowo Subianto's directive to strengthen connections between production centers and residential areas. The government considers reliable transportation connectivity an important factor in reducing logistics costs.

Strengthening connectivity presents a particular challenge for transportation-sector personnel. The government must not only improve transportation services in urban areas and economic centers but also ensure that people in remote, border and outermost areas, known as the 3T regions, continue to have access to transportation services.

Pioneer transportation services play an important role in maintaining connections with people in these areas. Transportation services in 3T regions can improve public mobility while expanding access to economic activities and public services.

At the same time, the government must strengthen public transportation in cities. The goal is to make public transportation a practical and attractive alternative for the public.

"We must strengthen urban mass transportation so that public transportation increasingly becomes a practical and attractive choice. We must build the integration of various modes of transportation so that door-to-door travel becomes easier. And we must improve the logistics system so that connectivity truly creates added value for the economy," he said.

The integration of different modes of transportation is one of the prerequisites for developing a modern transportation system. People need an interconnected travel system that makes it easier to switch from one mode of transportation to another.

The government must also ensure that transportation infrastructure development is accompanied by improvements in service quality. Through this approach, connectivity does not merely link one region to another but also supports economic activities and improves public access.

Digital Transformation Strengthens Oversight

In addition to connectivity, the Transportation Minister highlighted the use of technology in the transportation sector. In his view, technology must contribute to increasingly transparent and effective oversight.

Digital transformation in the transportation sector must deliver tangible benefits. The use of applications, digital systems and monitoring technologies is expected to support safer travel, improve regulatory compliance and create a more orderly logistics system.

Technology also gives the government an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of oversight across various transportation activities. Digital systems can accelerate monitoring while strengthening transparency in the delivery of services.

However, technology alone is not enough and requires the support of personnel with integrity. Even an increasingly modern system cannot achieve its full impact if the people responsible for providing services do not carry out their duties responsibly.

"However advanced technology may be, at the end of public service, there is always the human element. Applications, monitoring systems and the best infrastructure ultimately come down to our integrity, our responsibility and our courage to make the right decisions," he said.

The statement underscores that transportation development depends not only on infrastructure and technology. The quality of the people delivering transportation services is also an important factor in the success of the transportation system.

Integrity, a sense of responsibility and the courage to make the right decisions must be embedded in all transportation-sector personnel. This is particularly important because a large portion of transportation services is delivered directly within the community.

Transportation Minister Recognizes Workers' Dedication

The Transportation Minister also expressed his appreciation to all employees and personnel who carry out their duties in service to the public. He emphasized that transportation workers perform their responsibilities under a wide range of conditions, often without being noticed by the wider public.

Transportation personnel ensure that numerous parts of the transportation system operate reliably. Their responsibilities include inspecting runways, monitoring vessel movements, operating railway signaling systems, inspecting vehicles, and managing navigation and traffic.

Employees also serve at bus and transportation terminals, railway stations, ports and airports. Under certain circumstances, they remain on site during natural disasters or accidents to carry out their respective duties and responsibilities.

"Our work often takes place when most people cannot see it. While others are sleeping, there are employees inspecting runways. Others are monitoring vessel movements. Still others ensure that railway signals are functioning. There are employees inspecting vehicles or managing navigation and traffic. There are personnel stationed at terminals, railway stations, ports and airports. There are also colleagues who remain at disaster and accident sites. For all of these efforts, I express my appreciation and gratitude," the Transportation Minister said.

The 2026 National Transportation Day provides an important opportunity to strengthen the collective commitment to developing the transportation sector. The government is pursuing connectivity that supports public mobility, facilitates the movement of goods and creates added value for the economy.

Strengthening public transportation, integrating various modes of transportation, improving the logistics system, utilizing technology and strengthening the integrity of transportation personnel are inseparable elements of the sector's continued development.

For North Sumatra, strengthening transportation connectivity is also highly important because the region has a broad geographical structure with diverse social and economic centers. Strong connectivity is needed to reinforce links between regions while facilitating the movement of people and goods.

The 2026 National Transportation Day ceremony at Astaka Field in Deliserdang also served as a moment of appreciation for all transportation workers who continue to serve the public. Through their daily work, the transportation sector helps maintain connectivity while supporting public activities and economic development. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala

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