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?

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