Extra toll for airport trips starting today

JAKARTA (JP): Vehicles traveling to and from the Soekarno- Hatta International Airport will be charged an additional toll fee as of today.

Owners of sedans, jeeps, pick-up trucks and other Class I vehicles must pay Rp 4,000 (US$1.6) at the new toll gate in Kapuk, North Jakarta, including the Cengkareng toll fee, for those entering the Jembatan Tiga 1 gate. Fees thus total Rp 7,000, including the charges of the urban toll fees. Fees for other vehicles are higher, in line with yesterday's presidential decree on new tolls.

Vehicles from Jl. Daan Mogot and Kamal passing the Cengkareng junction only pay at the Cengkareng gate.

Bambang Sundjojo, the operational director of the state-owned PT Jasa Marga toll firm, said yesterday that the extra fees are due to the opening of the new toll road.

The road -- linking East Ancol, Jembatan Tiga, Pluit and Grogol -- was inaugurated by President Soeharto earlier in the day.

Bambang also provided additional information on traffic changes, especially in Pluit, North Jakarta. The changes, which became effective yesterday, are temporary until all toll road ramps are completed.

He said a three-day lenience period will be effective until Saturday for drivers confused with the U-turn at the new Pluit gate.

Those drivers will be given written notices at toll gates, exempting them from extra charges, Bambang said.

In response to suggestions that the period should be one week, he said this would be too long.

The U-turn is for motorists traveling in the direction of Tomang or Tanjung Priok. The road involving the U-turn is for traffic heading for the airport.

Bambang promised that Jasa Marga officials will help direct traffic and new signs will be installed.

He also explained easier routes to and from the airport, as the inner urban toll system is now completed with yesterday's inauguration.

For instance, traffic from the Jagorawi and Jakarta-Cikampek tolls are recommended to pass the Cawang - Tanjung Priok toll, and straight to Jl. Prof. Sedyatmo through the harbor road.

From West Jakarta areas in Tomang, Kebon Jeruk, and Grogol, vehicles should head for the Grogol crossroads towards the Jelambar toll gate on Jl. Satria.

Vehicles from Tangerang can pass Jl. Daan Mogot and head north at the Cengkareng crossroads through Kamal. This leads to Jl. Prof. Dr. Sedyatmo and the airport.

Those from Meruya and Kembangan in West Jakarta can pass Jl. Kosambi and drive north through the west arc. The road to the airport passes the Cengkareng crossroads, Kamal and the Cengkareng junction on to Jl. Prof. Dr. Sedyatmo. (anr)