Three-Axle Trucks Breach Operating Rules, Trigger Vehicle Queues
Jakarta — Despite restrictions on large freight vehicle operations for three-axle trucks and above having been enforced since 13 March 2026, many logistics businesses continue to breach the regulations.
The non-compliance of logistics operators with the rules established to maintain smooth Eid holiday traffic flows for 2026 has drawn a response from Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi.
According to Dudy, violations of the freight transport restriction policy are contributing to increased congestion and vehicle queues at several transport hubs, including Gilimanuk Port, which operates ferries to Ketapang.
“The Ministry of Transport expresses concern over the continued non-compliance of logistics businesses with the three-axle and above truck operational restriction policy implemented since 13 March. This non-compliance has resulted in increased vehicle queues at several strategic points, including ferry ports,” Dudy stated in an official statement on Sunday (15 March 2026).
During the 2026 Eid holiday travel period, the government has implemented regulations restricting large freight truck operations from 13-29 March 2026. Operating large trucks outside these provisions constitutes non-compliance with nationally established government policy.
The policy was established to maintain smooth public mobility, ensure traffic safety and order. The continued operation of logistics vehicles outside the prescribed regulations risks exacerbating congestion and increasing safety risks on roads and at port facilities.
Dudy called on all logistics businesses to comply with the established policy for the sake of transport flow efficiency and public safety.
He stressed that compliance with these rules is crucial so that traffic management and transport operations during the Eid holiday period can proceed smoothly.
The Ministry of Transport continues to coordinate with various stakeholders, including the Indonesian National Police, regional governments, and transport operators to ensure field operational arrangements run optimally and reduce congestion at transport hubs.
Regarding queues to Ketapang Port, the Ministry of Transport has instructed the Port Authority and ferry operator ASDP to increase vessel operations, implement arrival-discharge-departure (TBB) systems, and operate larger-capacity ferries.
The TBB scheme has been implemented since Saturday to ease congestion. The ministry has also assigned larger-capacity vessels from the Padangbai–Lembar route to be diverted to Gilimanuk to accelerate vehicle processing.
“Port transition time, originally 45 minutes, is being expedited to 30 minutes. Several vessels have also been prepared specifically to transport two-wheeled vehicles,” Dudy said.
Additionally, field operations include temporary suspension of large truck traffic to ports, particularly three-axle trucks heading to Gilimanuk Port.
Empty large trucks are being directed to designated parking zones to avoid adding to congestion. Buffer zones are also being optimised to accommodate private vehicles.