Severe Traffic Jam at Gilimanuk Port Stretches Tens of Kilometres, Transport Minister's Response
Severe traffic congestion that previously occurred on the route to Gilimanuk Port in Bali is gradually easing. The vehicle queues, which previously snaked for more than 30 kilometres, have now significantly reduced.
Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi stated that the situation serves as an important evaluation for the government and all relevant parties in managing vehicle flows in the crossing area that serves as the main link between Bali and Java.
“We are working to find solutions and mitigate the conditions on the ground, and this can serve as a lesson so that in the future, such density does not occur again in Gilimanuk. I greatly appreciate what has been done so that in a few days, the congestion that reached 20 kilometres can begin to be resolved. Now the vehicle queue is 8 kilometres long,” Dudy explained, quoted on Wednesday (17/3).
The government, together with various stakeholders, has taken various steps to ease the density. Handling is carried out through coordination between the Ministry of Transportation, the National Police Traffic Directorate, and the ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry.
Several measures taken include operating large-capacity ships, increasing the number of operating fleets to 35 ships, optimising the buffer zone area, and implementing the arrive-unload-depart (TBB) system on 25 ships to speed up the operational cycle.
“With the implementation of these measures, it is hoped that there will be a reduction in density and traffic flow can return to normal, and the congestion can be resolved before Nyepi Day,” Transport Minister Dudy stated.
However, the large number of large logistics vehicles operating amid restrictions on goods transport during the Lebaran transport period is still an issue. The presence of trucks with three or more axles has exacerbated the vehicle queues around the port area.
For this reason, Dudy urged logistics transport business actors to comply with the provisions in the Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) which regulates restrictions on the operation of goods vehicles with three or more axles.
On the other hand, the government is also preparing additional mitigation steps if there are still vehicles that cannot cross ahead of the Nyepi Day celebration in Bali.
In that scenario, small vehicles and buses will be prioritised for crossing, considering they carry more passengers. Meanwhile, large vehicles will be directed to temporary holding areas.
“Meanwhile, for large vehicles, if they are held up, they will be accommodated in the buffer zone, then the drivers will be transported to Banyuwangi while waiting for the crossing to reopen after the Nyepi celebration,” he added.
Dudy assured that truck drivers will not need to incur additional costs for transportation or accommodation while waiting for the crossing to reopen.
Drivers of large vehicles will be transported from Gilimanuk to Banyuwangi and back after the Nyepi celebration without charge. In addition, accommodation facilities are also being prepared by PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry.
The government is also preparing traffic flow arrangements on the Java side, specifically at Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, to prevent vehicle build-up when traffic from Bali starts to normalise.
“On the Ketapang side, there is now a functional toll road from Besuki. With the existence of that toll road, it is hoped that the flow of vehicles arriving from Gilimanuk can be managed. Ketapang also has several buffer zones designated as rest areas and for holding vehicles,” he said.