Exact Change Only

Exact Change Only

On Dec. 30, 1996, while driving to North Jakarta through the
city toll road, I picked the "Exact Change Only" lane. Having Rp
3,000 handy, I expected to cruise through the lane and be on my
way. I was totally wrong. In front of me was a car with military
number plates. The driver of the car gave the booth employee Rp
10,000; I could see this clearly as I was directly behind him.

The employee told the driver to wait for his change outside
the booth area since it was an "Exact Change Only" lane. Instead
of complying with the request, the driver changed his mind and
started collecting exact change from his passengers.

Meanwhile, the two or three cars behind me and I had to wait.
The drivers behind me became impatient and started honking his
horn. So did I.

Finally my turn came, I gave the booth employee my Rp 3,000
and was about to drive away. To my disbelief, the driver of the
military car deliberately blocked my way because he wanted to
exchange "a few words." Knowing what an ugly incident this could
become, I ignored the driver and sped off.

There are five questions still in my mind. One, did the sign
reading "Exact Change Only" mean anything to the driver? Two, was
it too difficult for the driver to comply with the booth
employee's request to wait elsewhere for change? Three, did he
realize drivers behind him honked because he did not have exact
change at an "Exact Change Only" lane? Four, shouldn't an "Exact
Change Only" lane mean just that? And finally, if an "Exact
Change Only" lane means drivers with or without an exact change
can pass through, what is the point of having an "Exact Change
Only" lane?

Name and address

known to the editor