Three-Hour Queues at Petrol Stations Cut to One Hour

An odd-even number-plate system has been introduced at all petrol stations in Bali Province to ease long queues for fuel. On its first day, Saturday (17 October 2026), members of the public were seen following staff instructions in an orderly manner. At the petrol station on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in Denpasar, queues that had lasted three hours the previous day were reduced to one hour.

Several police and military personnel were seen at the station managing nearby traffic and directing vehicles with odd-numbered plates into the fuel queue. Queues for Pertalite and Pertamax were also kept separate.

A local resident, Samuel, said he had learnt about the odd-even system on social media. He was able to buy fuel because his vehicle’s number plate was odd, as required that day.

“I already knew about it. I happened to see it on TikTok and Instagram last night. There’s an odd-even system, and my plate is odd today, so I can fill up,” he said.

Samuel said he had previously queued for as long as three hours to get fuel. On the first day of the odd-even system, however, his waiting time fell to about an hour.

“On Tuesday and Thursday I queued, and it was really long because there was no odd-even system. The queue could stretch for more than a kilometre. Today, I’m not sure about the distance, but I waited an hour to fill up,” said the student.

Samuel also noticed a change in the amount of fuel customers could buy: purchases of Pertalite for his motorbike are now capped at three litres.

He said the odd-even system was the right measure to reduce long queues at petrol stations.

“I think this is a very good strategy by the government to deal with the long queues. With this system, the number of motorbikes could perhaps be halved compared with before,” he added.

Stefanus, an online motorcycle taxi driver, had a different view and complained about the system. His motorbike has an even-numbered plate, but its tank was already empty and he still had to work.

“It’s difficult, you know. It’s a hassle, especially for online motorcycle taxi drivers like me. It makes things hard,” he complained.

Although his number plate would only be eligible to buy fuel the next day, Stefanus still tried to queue in the Pertalite line. He said staff let him fill up because the rule was still being introduced and explained that morning.

“Yes, because this is my daily routine as an online motorcycle taxi driver. People going to office jobs might still be able to manage,” he said.