Peak of Density on Toll Roads Predicted to Happen Tomorrow

A number of steps are being prepared to anticipate a surge in the number of vehicles on toll roads over the long weekend this week.

Kompas/AGUS SUSANTO

A dense flow of vehicles enters the Cikunir interchange area on the Cikampek Km 11 toll road in Bekasi City, West Java, Monday (3/8/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A number of steps are being prepared to anticipate a surge in the number of vehicles on toll roads over the long weekend to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday and collective leave for civil servants and state employees this week. An increase in train passengers is also expected.

The operation and maintenance management group head of state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga, Pratomo Bimawan Putra, Monday (26/10/2020), said that the volume of vehicles leaving Jakarta via toll roads was predicted to increase by 21.77 percent. Meanwhile, on 27-30 October, the volume of vehicles leaving Jakarta is predicted to reach 622,039 vehicles.

The estimate was based on those leaving through main toll gates (GT), namely Cikupa GT (west direction), Ciawi GT (south direction), and Cikampek Utama and Kalihurip Utama GT (east direction). Anticipatory measures are in place, including increasing service capacity in the main GTs and preparing mobile reader officers while maintaining health protocols.

Also read: Smooth Traffic during Christmas Break

Freight vehicles from Jakarta are prohibited from passing toll roads on 27 October at noon to 28 October at 02:00 p.m. Officers are also on standby to anticipate congestion.

Dwimawan Heru, the head of Jasa Marga\'s Corporate Communication and Community Development Group, added that the peak volume of the exodus is expected to occur on Wednesday (28/10) or the first day of collective leave. The peak of the backflow is predicted on Sunday (1/11).

Also read: Traffic Jams Expected at Elevated Toll Road Section

Previously, Jakarta Police Traffic Director Sr. Comr. Sambodo Purnomo Yogo said the contraflow (counter-flow) scenario is enforced. If this is not sufficient, a one-way system can be applied.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

An aerial photo of the flow of vehicles from Jakarta on the Jakarta-Cikampek elevated toll section toward the Kilometer Marker (KM) 48 meeting with the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road in Karawang regency, West Java, Friday (20/12/2019) at 6:20 p.m. The density of vehicles on the toll road has increased ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Public interest in the long holiday this weekend can be seen, among others, from the sales of train tickets for the 27 October-1 November 2020 period, which reached 83,000 pieces or 37 percent of the total available tickets. Public Relations Vice President of PT KAI Joni Martinus appealed to passengers to avoid the congestion of the Covid-19 rapid test service queues and the potential to miss the train by undergoing a quick test at least a day before departure.

Meanwhile, a number of regions are preparing anticipatory steps to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19. In Central Java, for example, Governor Ganjar Pranowo ordered random swab tests at a number of entrances to Central Java and at tourist attractions.

The same was done by the West Java Provincial Government. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil said, starting Tuesday (27/10), the police in West Java will also monitor the mobility of residents in border areas.

Also read: Anticipating Jams on Elevated Toll Road

In Bandar Lampung, the city government provides a free mass rapid test services for residents outside the area who enter Bandar Lampung.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan also expressed anticipatory steps, namely by ensuring the test runs well, tracing close contacts of residents who are positive for Covid-19, and strengthening patient treatment capacity.

A number of tourist attractions in Jakarta are also anticipating a surge in visitors by implementing strict health protocols. (JOG/ WER/ NIK/ HLN/ VIO/XTI/ TAM/ FRD/ FAI)