Government Assures Cashless Toll Transaction Project Still Underway

JAKARTA - The government has assured that the cashless, contactless toll transaction project, or Multi Lane Free Flow (MLFF), is still proceeding without interruption. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo stated that various technical and non-technical obstacles that had previously hindered progress have now been addressed. “However, as it involves multiple parties, its implementation requires time and cross-institutional coordination,” he said in a written statement on Saturday (21/3/2026). Meanwhile, Head of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) Wilan Oktavian revealed that the system has undergone functional testing with 64 different scenarios, all of which were successfully executed. “This is not just about ensuring the system runs, but also testing various possible field conditions,” Wilan remarked. He explained that the next stage of this process is direct trials on toll roads, which will serve as the basis for evaluation before wider implementation. The project is being handled by Roatex Ltd through its subsidiary PT Roatex Indonesia Toll System, with an investment value of US$300 million. From a business and public policy perspective, MLFF reflects a paradigm shift from physical infrastructure development to the optimisation of systems and technology. Wilan elaborated that instead of adding roads or widening lanes, capacity enhancement is achieved by eliminating operational barriers. In the long term, MLFF has the potential to be a game changer for the national transportation ecosystem, reducing travel times, lowering logistics costs, and increasing productivity. However, implementation challenges remain significant. Besides technological readiness, public socialisation is key. Additionally, toll road users must understand the new mechanisms, including the payment system, vehicle registration, and enforcement for violations.