SEMARANG, KOMPAS — National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has ensured that the long traffic congestion on the toll road that happened during the Idul Fitri homebound exodus in 2016 will not happen again this year. Traffic congestion along Java’s northern coast will decrease with the operation of the Brebes-Gringsing toll road, flyovers on Central Java’s southern route and more rest areas.
The National Police Chief made the statement during a coordination meeting on the preparation of 2017 Idul Fitri exodus at Ahmad Yani Air Base in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday (7/6). The meeting was attended by the Transportation Ministry’s Land Transportation Director General Pudji Hartanto, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry’s Toll Road Operator head Herry Trisaputra Zuna, Central Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono, and Pertamina president director Elia Massa Manik.
Tito said congestion during this year’s Idul Fitri exodus was predicted at the exit gates of Kaligangsa toll road in Tegal, Pejagan (Brebes) and Gringsing (Batang). However, traffic would not be as crowded as last year because of many alternative exit gates. Homebound travelers going to cities in the southern areas of Central Java, such as Banyumas and Cilacap, are suggested to take Purbaleunyi toll road to Tasikmalaya or the Cipali toll road, depending on traffic conditions.
Four flyovers
Traffic along the southern route is expected to be smooth with four new flyovers in Brebes heading to Dermoleng, Klonengan, Kesambi andKretek. The four flyovers will beoperational 14 days before Idul Fitri.
Meanwhile, homebound travelers to Pemalang can take the 110-kilometer Brebes-Gringsing toll road with 11 exit gates. The toll road is for small cars only and is still free of charge.
“Large vehicles such as buses and trucks will be directed to the Brebes exit,” Tito said.
He added that the exodus season was expectedto peak on Friday (23/6), withthe seasonstartingat the start of the school holiday on Monday (19/6). Motorists are suggested to fill up their tanks before getting on the toll roads.
Total travelers rise
Regarding the number of homebound travelers, Pudji Hartanto said the volume of vehicles entering Central Java would increase during Idul Fitri this year. The volume of cars is estimated to increase by 8-10 percent and motorbikes 4-5 percent from last year. In 2016, 5.1 million travelers entered Central Java on motorbikes while 3.06 million travelers used cars.
Pudji suggested that homebound travelers not to ride motorbikes. Alternatively, travelers could use the free transportation service provided by the Transportation Ministry. The free service is much more comfortable and safer, to reduce the risk of accidents during the Idul Fitri season.
Preparations for the Idul Fitri exodus is also being made by state and private companies. Pertamina, for example, will prepare containers of fuel at several rest areas as well as in small plastic bottles.
Aside from in Semarang, Tito also inspected the readiness of Operation Ramadniya 2017 at the Cikopo Integrated Service Post (Pos Terpadu) in Purwakarta.
“At the service post, the needs of travelers such as fuel, mechanics and health packages will be available,” he said.
West Java Police traffic director Sr. Comr. Tomex Kurniawan said there were four routes for travelers in the province, namely the northern route, Cipali toll road, the central route and the southern route. The police are to deploy 20,170 personnel, operate 299 security posts and 39 service posts.
Tomex said the police would manage traffic along the four routes, installing traffic cameras at toll gates to monitor the traffic.
“If there is congestion, vehicles on the toll roads will be diverted to exits to take the non-toll routes. Thus, traffic volume on the toll road will reduce and travel will be smooth,” he added.