This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Kenaikan Tarif Tol Bebani Biaya Logistik
28 April 2025
By Heru Febrianto
Jakarta, ID — The government's plan to increase toll road tariffs has been criticised by business owners, who argue that it will add to national logistics costs. In response, the House of Representatives (DPR) has asked the government to involve road users in the tariff calculation variables.
The Ministry of Public Works (PU), through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), plans to adjust several toll road tariffs from May 2025 until the end of the year. The BPJT notes that there are 22 toll road sections whose tariffs will be adjusted this year.
The toll tariff increase is regulated by Law No. 38 of 2004 on Roads and Government Regulation No. 15 of 2005 on Toll Roads. Tariff adjustments are made every two years based on the inflation rate and evaluation of the fulfilment of Minimum Service Standards (SPM) for toll roads.
Member of Commission VII of the DPR, Bambang Haryo Soekartono, emphasised that the plan to increase toll tariffs on 22 sections must be thoroughly evaluated and involve road users. He stressed the importance of transparency and independent audits before making such decisions.
"Road users, industry associations, logistics companies, and the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) must be involved in the tariff review. Toll operators must be transparent about the tariff calculation variables," said Bambang Haryo in a press release quoted in Jakarta, Sunday (27/4/2025).
According to him, toll tariffs in Indonesia are among the highest in Southeast Asia, despite the infrastructure quality being below standard. He compared it to Malaysia, where toll tariffs can be three times cheaper.
"Some toll road construction is funded by the state budget (APBN). Therefore, logically, the tariffs should be cheaper," he asserted.
Bambang also criticised the quality of toll roads that only use rigid pavement (rough concrete) without an asphalt layer, which he considers dangerous and far from safety standards.
"Compared to Vietnam and Thailand, Indonesia's toll tariffs are still more expensive, even though their road quality is better," he said.
He revealed data showing that only 2.5% of logistics vehicles and 5% of mass transportation use toll roads, indicating the inefficiency of toll roads as infrastructure supporting the national economy.
"If toll roads are only enjoyed by private vehicles, where is their contribution to national logistics? Toll roads should speed up the distribution of goods and passengers more cheaply and safely," he said.
To achieve this, he urged the government to conduct an open audit of toll operators, involving the public and transportation associations.
Additionally, Bambang called for an evaluation of toll road management concessions. Many toll roads should have returned to state ownership according to their concession periods.
"Toll roads that have been around for a long time should have cheaper tariffs, not higher. Especially if the roads are bumpy like in Sumatra, that clearly violates the minimum service standards according to Law No. 38 of 2004 on Roads," he concluded.
Considered unfair
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Transportation and Safety Association (Kamselindo), Kyatmaja Lookman, said that the biennial toll tariff increase is considered unfair for the logistics sector, making it reasonable for logistics business owners to complain about the toll tariff increase.
"I think it is reasonable for us to question the biennial toll tariff increase based on the fulfilment of minimum service standards (SPM). The tariffs for logistics transportation are not regulated but follow the market," he told Investor Daily.
He explained that logistics transportation, especially truck owners, try to avoid toll roads to delivery destinations as much as possible. However, when entering urban areas during peak hours, they prefer to use toll roads.
"We actually avoid toll roads. But for some toll roads like inner-city toll roads in Jakarta or inner-city toll roads in Semarang sections A, B, and C, we have no choice but to use toll roads during peak hours," he said.
In some cities/regencies, logistics transportation is required to use toll roads because local governments prohibit them from using other roads.
"For example, in Pemalang-Tegal, the local government prohibits logistics transportation from using toll roads due to local regulations, so we have no choice but to use toll roads. On the other hand, if there is a ban on using city or regency roads, logistics transportation is blamed, which is a dilemma," he said.
He emphasised the need to review the biennial toll tariff increase, which is considered burdensome for logistics business owners.
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