Long Queues at Fuel Stations in Central Java Ahead of Petrol Price Hike

KLATEN, KOMPAS.com - One of Pertamina’s public fuel filling stations (SPBU) in Cawas, Klaten, Central Java, was observed to have crowded queues, dominated by motorbikes.

Based on observations by Kompas.com on Tuesday (31/3/2026), there were queues of consumers ahead of the petrol price increase that will be announced by the government starting 1 April 2026.

The majority of motorbikes were filling up with Pertalite, while the rest used Pertamax. Meanwhile, car drivers were more often seen filling up with Pertalite.

“During peak hours, like when going to or returning from school, the Cawas SPBU is always busy, with long queues dominated by motorbikes; rather than queuing, I choose Pertamax,” said Nur to KOMPAS.com on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Nur admitted to having heard rumours that petrol prices would rise, particularly for non-subsidised fuels like Pertamax.

Recently, a table of petrol price increases for April 2026 has been circulating in several WhatsApp groups.

Udin (39), from Klaten, a Honda Jazz driver, said that as long as the petrol price increase does not affect Pertalite, it would not impact him much.

So far, filling up Pertalite for four-wheeled vehicles has been limited to those with a myPertamina barcode, as a government control tool for the distribution of subsidised fuel.

“As long as the subsidised fuel price does not rise, and it can still be accessed by the public, I think it’s still safe,” said Udin.

One of the Pertamax buyers observed making a transaction at the Cawas SPBU this morning was an informal fuel trader. They appeared to be buying Pertamax in large jerry cans in baskets.

They declined to comment on the petrol price increase rumours when Kompas.com tried to interview them at the Cawas SPBU.

For information, purchasing Pertamax is still allowed using jerry cans, but not for Pertalite, to prevent misuse of subsidised fuel.