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.
Investor daily - Tujuh ruas jalan tol beroperasi fungsional
26 March 2024
By Ichsan Amin
Jakarta, ID – The Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry is planning to operate seven toll segments on a functional basis to support homecoming during Eid 2024.
A member of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) of the PUPR Ministry, Tulus Abadi, revealed that the seven toll segments that would operate on a functional basis have not been fully constructed.
“The construction is not fully completed, but they can operate or function to support traffic during the Eid homecoming period,” Tulus said at a press conference held by the Communication and Informatics Ministry in Jakarta on Monday (25/3/2024).
The toll segments will operate for free from 6:00 am WIB (Western Indonesian Time) to 5:00 pm WIB. “The seven toll segments are free, so they can be used by the people for homecoming,” Tulus said.
Tulus said that the toll segments operated on a functional basis as their facilities have not been completed. For example, lighting is still lacking, the same goes for the rest areas.
Besides that, some of the toll segments will only operate based on the police’s discretion. “If the existing toll segments are congested, then the toll segments will operate on a functional basis for free. This is what will be implemented on Jakarta-Cikampek (Japek) II South during the Eid period,” Tulus added.
The seven toll segments that will operate on a functional basis for free are Cimanggis-Cibitung toll segment section 2B (Cikeas-Cibitung) spanning 19.65 kilometres (km), Jakarta-Cikampek II South toll segment section Kutanegara-Sadang spanning 8.5 km, Solo-Yogyakarta-NYIA Kulonprogo toll segment section Colomadu-Klaten spanning 22.3 km, Bangkinang-Koto Kampar toll segment section Bangkinang-Koto Kampar spanning 24.7 km, Kuala Tanjung-Tebing Tinggi-Parapat toll segment section 2 (Kuala Tanjung-Indrapura) spanning 9.47 km and section 3 (Tebing Tinggi-Sinaksak) spanning 47.15 km, Indrapura-Kisaran toll segment section 2 (Lima Puluh-Kisaran) spanning 32.15 km, and Kayuagung-Palembang-Betung toll segment section 3 (IC Musi Landas-Desa Sukamudra) spanning 21.2 km.
During the occasion, the spokesperson of the Transportation Ministry, Adita Irawati, said that the operation of land transportation was under the authority of the Transportation Ministry, which regularly conducts ramp checks. “We at the Transportation Ministry are conducting routine ramp checks. Therefore, we are encouraging regional governments to also conduct ramp checks as well as road worthiness tests on vehicles approaching the homecoming period in 2024,” Adita added.
The government predicts that during the 2024 Eid holiday, at least 193.6 million people will travel. Specifically, an estimated 61.6 million people (31.8%) will head to Central Java, 37.6 million people (19.4%) to East Java, while 32.1 million people (16.6%) to West Java.
As many as 72.93 million people will travel using toll roads with private vehicles and buses, which is the second most popular mode of transportation during the Eid homecoming period.
Conduct homecoming early
On a separate occasion, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi urged the public to commence their homecoming earlier, before the peak from 5-8 April 2024. The objective is to avoid congestion during the peak homecoming period. This was conveyed by the Transportation Minister during his attendance at the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Meeting for Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijrah, organised by the Indonesian National Police at Hotel Bidakara in Jakarta on Monday (25/3).
"The peak of the homecoming period, as mentioned earlier, will occur on D-4, D-3, and D-2. Traffic will be extremely high on those days. Therefore, we urge some of the public, especially those whose children are already on holiday, to start their homecoming earlier," said the Transportation Minister.
He also reminded the public not to use motorcycles for their homecoming as it is very dangerous. Instead, people can use public transportation or take advantage of the free homecoming programmes provided by the Ministry of Transportation or other agencies.
He also outlined several aspects that need attention in this year's Eid transportation period. Among them are overcrowded markets, which often become problematic points during the homecoming period, especially in West Java, Central Java, and East Java.
"We anticipate several areas that will require special attention from the police. Additionally, regarding ship management at ports in South Sulawesi, Riau, East Kalimantan, and East Java, particularly in Madura. From an aviation perspective, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali may experience higher-than-usual traffic and should be given additional attention," he explained.
In response to the potential high movement of people, he stated that the Ministry of Transportation has prepared Integrated Eid Transportation Posts, which would be held from 3 April to 18 April 2024, at the Mataram Room of the Transportation Ministry's Office.
During the occasion, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy urged all travellers and transportation operators to check the roadworthiness of their vehicles before traveling. Travelers are also asked not to stop to rest on the shoulders of toll roads. In addition, the use of rest areas should not exceed 30 minutes to allow for rotation with the next travellers.
"Drivers also need to ensure their health and fitness, ensure that their vehicles have enough fuel, and ensure that they have sufficient e-toll balance to ensure smooth travel during homecoming," said Coordinating Minister Muhadjir.
Indonesian National Police General in Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the police would conduct Operation Ketupat in 2024 to serve and maintain the flow of homecoming and return traffic during Eid in 2024.
Operation Ketupat will run for 13 days from 4 April to 16 April 2024. There will be 155,165 personnel involved in Operation Ketupat, including 1,150 personnel from the Indonesian National Police Headquarters, 85,064 personnel from the regional police, and 68,969 personnel from related agencies.
"There will be 5,784 posts set up to provide services, whether on toll roads, rest areas, arterial roads, or along routes in tourism areas. We will also evaluate the buffer zones, especially those in the ferrying area towards Merak. Usually, congestion occurs when people are waiting to cross," explained the Police Chief.
Meanwhile, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto stated that TNI has prepared 67,955 personnel to assist the police during the Eid period. Supporting facilities such as Hercules aircrafts, helicopters, tow trucks, and ambulances have also been prepared if needed.
Regarding food availability, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan stated that the availability of basic commodities and food for Eid was more than sufficient. Therefore, the public is urged to buy only what is needed, avoid panic buying, and refrain from excessive purchases.
Next article: Jokowi inaugurates four airports in Sulawesi
