Trans-Java Toll Road: Surabaya – Jakarta can be covered in 10 – 12 hours
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.
Kompas: Tol Trans-Jawa: Surabaya – Jakarta Bisa Ditempuh 10 – 12 Jam
13 November 2018
Surabaya, Kompas — Surabaya-Jakarta segment of the Trans-Java Toll Road is expected to fully operate as Christmas 2018 and New Year 2019 holidays are approaching. It is targeted that Surabaya-Jakarta distance can be covered in 10-12 hours, saving traveling time by 30 percent or earlier by at least five hours than the traveling time required to cover the same distance via national road.
During the Trans-Java Toll Pass-Through Expedition joined by Kompas on Monday (12/11/2018), the trip from Surabaya to Jakarta (covering a distance of almost 800 kilometres) took 12 hours, including transit in six rest areas. The expedition was held by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) and relevant agencies.
The group set off from Surabaya at 06.00pm and arrived in Jakarta at 08.15pm with maximum vehicle speed of 100 km/h. The trip was slightly stalled with road congestion upon entering Cikarang-Jakarta toll road due to infrastructure development, such as flyover toll road project, Bandung-Jakarta fast train and light train railways. If the expedition passed through the national road, Surabaya-Jakarta trip would take at least 15 hours.
According to plan, President Joko Widodo will inaugurate the operations of Trans-Java Toll Road in Merak Port, Banten, and Surabaya segments ahead of Christmas 2018 holidays so that the people would be able to use it starting from Christmas & New Year holidays.
Desi Aryani, President Director of PT Jasa Marga, the operator of majority part of Trans-Java Toll Road, hoped that Surabaya-Jakarta route could be covered in 10-12 hours.
“The traveling time between the two cities will surely be cut short, thanks to Trans-Java Toll Road,” Desi said during a press conference in Surabaya before leaving for Jakarta, Monday morning.
Trans-Java Toll Road connecting Merak Port, Banten and Banyuwangi, East Java (around 1,000 km). However, the new segment ready to be inaugurated by the President is the Merak-Surabaya route (870 km).
According to Desi, Surabaya-Probolinggo segment is targeted to become a functional toll road by the end of December 2018. The segment is now still under construction, while the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi segment is now undergoing land acquisition phase.
In order to check the readiness of Trans-Java Toll Road, SOE Minister Rini Soemarno joined the expedition. Rini rode from Gerbang Tol Waragunung, Surabaya, at 06.00am and arrived in Telkom Landmark Tower, South Jakarta, at 08.15pm. Initially, Rini was estimated to arrive in Jakarta at 11.15pm.
Logistics and Tourism
The General Chairman of the Indonesia Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi), Adhi S Lukman in Jakarta, Monday, said that the operation of Trans-Java Toll Road could expedite the distribution of basic consumption goods. The operation of this toll road can also reduce logistics transport cost.
According to Adhi, goods transport by truck from Surabaya to Jakarta in normal condition, minus congestion and flood, takes an average of two days. “Once the Trans-Java Toll Road is operational, the travel time will certainly be shorter,” he said while adding that shorter travel time means saving fuel and saving the distribution process from illegal levies commonly occurring on national roads.
Director of Operations and Public Service of the Logistics Bureau (Perum Bulog) Tri Wahyudi believes that the operation of Trans-Java Toll Road could help expedite the distribution of foodstuffs. Farmers’ sugar production, for example, mostly came from East Java. Distribution to Central Java, West Java, DKI Jakarta via Trans-Java Toll Road could be made faster.
Enjang, the driver of one of the transport vehicles provided by Astra International for the Trans-Java Pass-Through Expedition, conveyed that the toll road condition was relatively good. “However, the driver is prone to drowsiness as the road is straight and quiet,” he said while suggesting that drivers should take a break every 2 hours of driving.
In addition to supporting logistics transport, toll road development can also improve connectivity to priority tourism destinations.
The Team Leader for Accelerated Development of 10 Priority Tourism Destinations of the Tourism Ministry, Hiramsyah S Thaib said that toll roads will support tourism, since tourists are usually averse to long road traveling hours.
Construction Stage
According to Kompas’ observation, there are several locations in Trans-Java Toll Road still under construction, namely Wilangan-Kertosono, Kali Kenteng Bridge and Batang-Semarang segment.
Out of the 870 km of Jakarta-Surabaya roll road, only 640 km has been fully operational. On this functional road, vehicles can drive at a speed of up to 100 km/h. At several points along way, the road appears to have not been equipped with guard rails, road signs and road markings.
Rini ensured that the construction work in those points will be able to finish on time. Most other toll roads have been fully operational. The entire Merak-Surabaya segment construction is scheduled to finish construction and ready for operation by the end of November.
Desi set a target for all rest areas to be operational according to service standards at least by end of December 2018. Rest areas will be equipped with parking spaces, restrooms, prayer rooms, restaurants or food stalls, shops and gas stations (SPBU).
Commercial areas including restaurants are already available at some spots, such as in JSN rest area at Km 519B on Solo-Ngawi toll road and at Km 229B on Kanci-Pejagan toll road. In order to support people’s economy, 30 percent of the total land of rest areas is allotted for micro, small and medium businesses as well as local cooperatives.
