Route Through Rice Fields to Purwomartani Toll Gate Removed from Maps After Misleading Holidaymakers

Toll road managers have removed the vehicle route passing through rice field areas to reach the Purwomartani Toll Gate from navigation apps or maps. This follows a number of drivers who got lost while heading to the toll on Tuesday afternoon (24/3). “Information from field colleagues indicates that the route to the Purwomartani Toll Gate (through the rice field area) has already been removed from Google Maps,” said Public Relations of PT Jasamarga Jogja Solo, Rachmat Jasiman, to reporters on Wednesday (25/3/2026). To direct drivers intending to enter GT Purwomartani, the company has added direction signs. Additionally, officers have been deployed to assist in guiding drivers. “In the meantime, field colleagues are on standby, and we have installed signs directing to the toll gate,” he said. He emphasised that road users heading to the toll entrance are advised to take the arterial route via the Jogja-Solo Road. The hope is to prevent any more drivers from getting lost by taking roads through residential and rice field areas. “Yes, that’s correct. Only accessible from the Jogja-Solo route,” he stressed. Previously, several holidaymakers heading to the Purwomartani Toll Gate passed through village roads and rice field areas in Tirtomartani Village, Kalasan. They followed the route displayed on Google Maps. Observations by detikJogja showed that vehicles heading to GT Purwomartani through rice fields were dominated by private cars from out of town. Some drivers appeared confused about the direction to the toll gate. These vehicles began passing through the rice field area from 3:00 PM WIB. The road taken was just a dirt path that could only accommodate one vehicle at a time. Meanwhile, the arterial road, namely the Jogja-Solo Road, had quite heavy traffic. “Yes, following Google Maps. It directed to (the rice field road),” said Satrio, one of the holidaymakers heading to Jakarta, to reporters on Tuesday (24/3). Satrio admitted he only followed the navigation directions until nearing the toll gate. He also mentioned not finding any officers or direction signs along that route. “Yes, no signs and no officers,” he said. Another holidaymaker, Damar, admitted to being hesitant when directed into the rice field road. However, he continued the journey because it was difficult to turn back. “Yes, directed by Google Maps. The destination was indeed the toll. I was hesitant for a moment, but turning back was no longer possible,” he said. Damar stated he was from Jakarta and heading back to the capital after visiting Yogyakarta. Meanwhile, another holidaymaker, Haryono, said he chose to follow digital navigation because the Jogja-Solo Road was congested. “Because earlier from Tajem, I opened Google Maps, since the Adisucipto Solo Road was all red,” he said.