21,000 Vehicles Short on E-Toll Balance, Jasa Marga Urges Preparation from the Start

JAKARTA - PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk has warned of potential long queues during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr return flow. The main issue stems from insufficient electronic money or e-toll balances.

An evaluation of the mudik flow from H-10 to H+1 of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah on 11–22 March 2026 revealed key findings. As many as 21,000 vehicles experienced e-toll balance shortages at the Kalikangkung Toll Gate on the Batang-Semarang Toll Road.

This number equates to 4.9 per cent of the total 442,000 vehicles that passed through and transacted at that toll gate.

Jasa Marga President Director Rivan A. Purwantono stated that this condition directly impacts vehicle queues. The process of topping up balances at the toll gate causes slowdowns.

“With e-toll shortages that impact high top-up activity at the toll gate, it will result in significant delay times and cause queues at the toll gate,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

Jasa Marga urges road users to prepare e-toll balances before entering the toll road. This step is deemed essential to maintain smooth traffic flow.

“Prepare sufficient e-toll balances for road users undertaking continuous journeys, especially from the Trans Java direction towards Jakarta,” he said.

Jasa Marga recommends a minimum balance for group I vehicle users. For journeys from Semarang to Jakarta, prepare Rp500,000. For journeys from Surabaya to Jakarta, prepare Rp1,000,000.

Rivan emphasised that topping up at the toll gate disadvantages road users. Travel time is wasted just waiting for that process.

“Therefore, Jasa Marga once again requests cooperation from road users to periodically check the sufficiency of e-toll balances for smooth return journey travel,” Rivan stressed.

Cards from other users cannot be used if the balance is insufficient.

Road users at the Cikampek Utama Toll Gate are asked to comply with signs and instructions from officers. Minor disruptions at the toll gate can trigger long queues.

Journey preparations also need attention. Driver and vehicle conditions must be optimal. Fuel needs to be ensured to be sufficient.

Road users are advised not to linger at rest areas. Rest times need to be managed to avoid causing density.

“Use time wisely by not lingering at rest areas so that they can alternate with other road users,” he concluded.