Additional SPKLU required for homecoming needs in Central Java

Minimal charging facilities for electric vehicles increase the risk of traffic jams when returning home.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi delivered a presentation regarding the results of a cross-sectoral coordination meeting at the Grand Artos Hotel and Convention, Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday (28/3/2024).

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — Additional public electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU) or at least charging facilities are expected to be immediately placed in all rest area point (rest area) in Central Java. This needs to be done because it is predicted that some people this year will already use electric vehicles for the Eid homecoming purposes.

Central Java Police Traffic Director Senior Commissioner Sonny Irawan said that additional electric vehicle charging facilities were urgently needed to avoid the risk of congestion due to electric vehicles stopping due to running out of power.

"In addition to the limited distance, we must also anticipate potential malfunctions in the electric vehicle's engine which may prevent it from reaching its maximum distance," said Sonny when asked after the cross-sectoral coordination meeting in preparation for the Eid al-Fitr homecoming at the Grand Artos Hotel and Convention in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Thursday (March 28, 2024).

The average distance traveled by electric vehicles is 400-500 kilometers. As an example, the distance between Jakarta and Semarang, for instance, reaches around 400 kilometers. However, due to disturbances, the distance that the vehicle can cover is only expected to be around 300-350 kilometers.

Also read: April 8 is the peak of homecoming flows, April 14 is the peak of returning flows

In Central Java, there are 21 charging stations for electric vehicles and 24 rest areas. Additional charging stations are much needed since the distribution of the stations is uneven. Regarding this condition, the Central Java Police have already submitted a formal request to PLN to promptly add facilities for electric vehicle charging.

Apart from that, he asked that every electric vehicle user make their own preparations by bringing a portable charger.

HUMAS PEMKOT BOGOR

Currently, the local government of Bogor City, West Java, has five electric motorcycles and two electric cars. Additionally, there is already a public electric vehicle charging station (SPKLU) available at Bogor City Hall.

The flow of arrivals of homecoming travelers in Central Java is estimated to occur on April 5-6 2024. The return flow is estimated to occur from April 12 2024.

Apart from implementing the Eid homecoming one way scheme on the Trans-Java toll road which will be valid on a national scale from April 5-7, Sonny said that his party is preparing to implement a local one way trip on the internal toll road. Kalikangkung-Bawen city.

The one-way local system will only be implemented under certain conditions, such as during heavy traffic with a continuous stream of vehicles for at least three hours, totaling no less than 4,000 vehicles per hour. Additionally, it will be used in case of congestion where vehicles can only travel at speeds between 10-20 kilometers per hour.

No firecrackers

During the occasion, the Chief of Central Java Regional Police Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi stated that the Central Java Regional Police are currently preparing to welcome 193 million travelers from all over the country.

The total strength of personnel to secure the homecoming flow and the Eid return flow reaches 196,000 police personnel. Police officers will be deployed to be on standby to provide security at 196 posts. Apart from security posts and integrated service posts, the Central Java Regional Police have established special posts at tourist destinations.

Also read: Anticipating the peak of homecoming flows for Eid 2024

KOMPAS/RUNIK SRI ASTUTI

The community has registered to participate in the free homecoming program for Eid al-Fitr in 2024 at the East Java Transportation Agency Office on Monday (25/3/2024). The East Java provincial government provides 3,318 free homecoming quotas using buses for destinations in regencies and cities in East Java.

Ahmad reminds everyone not to celebrate Eid by lighting fireworks. "Last year, a fireworks explosion resulted in 7-8 fatalities and at least four houses of residents being damaged. Let us learn from that bad experience and not repeat it this year," he said.

Regarding this matter, the Central Java Regional Police and various police precincts in Central Java have made efforts to uncover findings of fireworks and explosive materials in anticipation of new cases in the Ramadhan month and approaching the Lebaran holiday season.