Odd-Even, One-Way Traffic Starts April 28

To anticipate potential congestion during the peak of the mudik, the police will implement an emergency traffic scheme on the Trans-Java Toll Road.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Kali Kangkung Toll Gate in Semarang, Central Java, Thursday (21/4/2022). The government is preparing traffic regulations and engineering to reduce severe congestion, especially during the peak of the mudik flow, which is expected to occur on April 28-30, 2022.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — To anticipate potential congestion during the peak of the mudik (homecoming trip) during the Islamic Idul Fitri holidays, locally known as Lebaran, the police will implement an emergency traffic scheme on the Trans-Java Toll Road.

The measures, which regulate traffic in an odd-even and one-way system, will be implemented from Kilometer 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road to Kilometer 414 of the Kalikangkung Toll Gate in Semarang, Central Java, from April 28 to May 1, between 5 p.m. and 12 a.m. (midnight). On May 1 only, the odd-even and one-way system will also be imposed between 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon).

"Follow the regulation for the sake of a better traffic flow for all of us. [During the implementation of one-way traffic] starting from Kilometer 47 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, travelers can shift to lane B, which on normal days leads to Jakarta, to drive eastward towards Kalikangkung tollgate," inspector general Firman Shantyabudi, head of the Police’s traffic corps, said during a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (21/4/2022).

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Travelers heading toward Cirebon, West Java, and continuing up to Semarang are advised to shift to the right lane without hesitation, because the rest area along the lane can also be used by travelers.

However, travelers passing through the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road and heading to Bandung, West Java, and its surroundings are advised to remain in the left lane, making it easier to turn left at Kilometer 66 towards the Cipularang Toll Road. By so doing, they will avoid changing lanes and thus prevent traffic jams.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

Dozens of passengers wait for the scheduled departure of the train at Gambir Station, DKI Jakarta, Tuesday (19/4/2022). A number of residents in Jakarta and its surrounding areas decided to go home early to avoid overcrowding during the last week before Eid.

Firman hoped that travelers would comply with the implemented traffic scheme to prevent traffic congestion.

“In light of the last Idul Fitri holiday, we realize traffic jams were due to our undisciplined behavior; for example, when we scrambled to get into the ferry. Those on the ground don't need to squeeze their way in because the [traffic] officers will try to handle it," he said.

Budi Setiyadi, Transportation Ministry’s director for land transportation, said vehicle rationing measures were crucial in regulating traffic during mudik. The measures include restricting freight transport mobility between April 28 and May 1.

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“This restriction [policy] has been coordinated with truck and logistics operators. We have arranged operational time for them on the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road and the national road. For logistics vehicles, [the operational time] is from 12 a.m. (midnight) to 7 a.m.," he said.

Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif gave his assurance regarding the availability of fuel for the duration of the Lebaran mudik. The government also ensured that there would be no increase in Pertalite (a type of fuel) prices during this time.

Arifin said fuel consumption during the Lebaran mudik was estimated to increase by 10-14 percent. "For this reason, [state-owned oil and gas company] PT Pertamina has been told to set aside the stock as well as preparing for the logistics operations so that the fuel can arrive in time," he said during an inspection of a rest area at Kilometer 228A of the Kanci-Pejagan Toll Road in Cirebon regency, West Java.

This article was translated by Musthofid.