Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 2 Opens, Journey Time to Southern Coast Reduced to 3 Hours
The Serang-Panimbang toll road Section 2, Rangkas-Cileles stretch, officially opened toll-free on Thursday 12 March. The opening was implemented to support smooth traffic flow during Eid homecoming and return travel in 2026 in the Banten region.
The toll road is being operated temporarily until 26 March 2026, from 06:00 to 18:00 WIB, and is exclusively reserved for Class I vehicles.
The toll operator stated that this policy aims to reduce traffic congestion whilst improving connectivity to southern Banten.
The Managing Director of the local tourist area operator, Poernomo Siswoprasetijo, welcomed the opening of the functional toll road. According to him, this new access would cut travel time from Jakarta to the coastal areas in southern Banten to approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
“The presence of this toll road will open access to southern Banten whilst shortening travel time for tourists from Jakarta to approximately 2.5-3 hours,” he said.
He added that this travel duration is now equivalent to travel to Puncak, Bogor, which has been a favourite tourist destination for the Jabodetabek community.
“With this improved access, travel to this area no longer feels distant, even matching travel to Puncak,” he said.
With increasingly convenient access, the number of tourist visits during the Eid holiday period is estimated to increase significantly. The 2026 Eid holiday period from 19 to 31 March is predicted to drive a surge in tourists to Banten’s coastal areas, including the Tanjung Lesung tourist area.
“Potential tourist visits are estimated to reach approximately 25,000 tourists during the 2026 Eid holiday period,” said Poernomo.
He assessed that this improvement in accessibility would not only impact visitor numbers but also open opportunities for creative economy growth in the surrounding area.
In addition to offering coastal panoramas, the Tanjung Lesung tourist area provides various activities, ranging from water sports such as jet skiing, kayaking, snorkelling, to diving.
For land-based activities, options such as cycling, electric cycling, and ATV are available. Meanwhile, educational activities such as sea turtle and coral reef conservation also serve as additional attractions for family tourism.
According to Poernomo, the combination of faster access and diverse activities is expected to make the area an alternative Eid holiday destination.
“For families wishing to visit a more private and less crowded beach, this area could be a choice,” he said.
The opening of this toll road is considered a strategic step in driving regional economic growth, particularly in the tourism sector and micro-enterprises in southern Banten.
With improved connectivity, the area that was previously relatively difficult to access is now positioned to become a major tourism destination during the holiday season.