Toll road infrastructure: Getting some rest despite as-is condition
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Bisnis Indonesia - Infrastruktur jalan tol: Istirahat meski seadanya
19 April 2023
By: 2023 Eid Exploration Team
Rest areas along toll roads that homecoming travellers use are crucial. Amid the congested traffic, homecoming travellers need to be able to take a break, even though the facilities are just barely sufficient.
The data from the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) shows that there are 79 rest areas along Trans-Java toll road that consist of 39 rest and service areas, 31 rest areas, and 9 parking bays.
The survey result of the Transportation Ministry also shows that most homecoming travellers that use private vehicles that reach 9.2 million people will go through Trans-Java toll road. Hence, the availability of rest areas is crucial so that homecoming travellers do not stop recklessly on the side of the road.
One of the rest areas prepared to welcome homecoming travellers is the emergency rest area at KM 81 on Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll segment in Purwakarta, West Java that has been operating on a functional basis since Monday, 17 April 2023. The rest area is located on route A that is the Jakarta-Cirebon route and route B that is the opposite direction, which will operate until 1 May 2023.
Bisnis, on Monday (17/4) night, observed that there were several facilities built using containers with electricity from generators. Besides that, there are health posts equipped with medical teams that stand by for 24 hours, a police post from Purwakarta precinct police (Polres), a musalla, a wudhu area, toilets, a rest area for senior citizen, and a mothers’ room.
“The facilities here are still very urgent. We are also providing active food tenants, toilets for men and women, a musalla, and additional toilets if they are full. At the back, there is an ambulance,” PT Gapura Transnusa SPV Coordinator Rendra Irawan said at the rest area at KM 81 on Monday (17/5).
Rendra hopes that the people can utilise the rest area to rest and as an alternative stopping location so that they do not stop on the side of the road.
“There are many vehicles that stop at the side of the road, which is forbidden. So, [the rest area at] KM 81 is prepared to accommodate homecoming travellers from Jakarta that gets off from MBZ [Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Elevated]. The rest area at KM 57 will be full as it is the first rest area towards Java. Hopefully, [travellers] can rest for a while even though [the facilities] are just barely sufficient,” he explained.
Besides the emergency rest area, there is also a rest area on route A of Cipali toll segment. The rest area is suitable for homecoming travellers who bring their children as there is a playground that use synthetic grass.
The facility will help parents to rest amid their homecoming during 2023 Eid. A homecoming traveller with two children, Rohayati, 37, said that she enjoyed the facility as she could rest for a while.
“Yes, it helps us parents. If the children throw a tantrum, we will not be able to rest,” she said when she was asked by Bisnis on Tuesday (18/4).
In line with Rohayati, a homecoming traveller from Palembang, Asror, 59, is also helped by the playground. Moreover, facilities at the rest area at KM 166 of route A are quite complete with food tenants, minimarkets, a mosque, ATMs, and a post that can perform health check-ups. “The facilities are enough. There is a mosque, many toilets, and there is [a facility] for children,” Asror said.
At the rest area, Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) has provided a rest post to support homecoming during 2023 Eid that is capable of performing health check-ups. Asror reckoned that the facilities are quite complete with a mosque, lots of toilets, and health check-ups for homecoming travellers after their travel.
Wawan, a security officer at BSI Mosque, said that it was an effort to provide comfort for homecoming travellers. It means that homecoming travellers who need to pray or rest at the sharia bank’s mosque do not have to worry about their footwear when they exit or enter the place of worship.
Another alternative rest area on Trans-Java toll road is Rumah Pertamina Siaga (RPS) at KM 228 of Kanci-Pejagan toll segment. RPS also provides seats for homecoming travellers who want to drink tea or coffee.
“Homecoming travellers can rest here. The room is airconditioned, and there is WiFi,” RPS KM 228 Team Leader Leila Aprilia said to Bisnis at the rest area at KM 228.
Leila added that RPS can be an option to rest comfortably for homecoming travellers. Several officers can be seen serving homecoming travellers at RPS. They also provide special rooms for sick travellers.
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