Jakarta. In a bid to reduce congestion, the government will implement toll tariff discounts of up to 35 percent before the peak of the 2024 Eid al-Fitr holiday travel season. 

According to Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, the toll tariff discount initiative was initiated by the Indonesian Toll Road Association (ATI). The toll tariff discounts will be applicable on certain toll road sections.

"We thank and praise the Indonesian Toll Road Association for initiating toll discounts on various toll road sections," said Basuki during a working meeting at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

Basuki explained that a 20 percent toll tariff discount will apply on the Trans Java Toll Road, which includes the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road, Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road, Jakarta-Cikampek Elevated Toll Road (MBZ), Cikopo-Palimanan Toll Road, Palimanan-Kanci Toll Road, Kanci-Pejagan Toll Road, Pejagan-Pemalang Toll Road, Pemalang-Batang Toll Road, Batang-Semarang Toll Road, Semarang ABC Toll Road, and Jombang-Mojokerto Toll Road.

Additionally, a 20 percent toll tariff discount will also apply on the Sumatra Trans Toll Road, including the Indralaya-Prabumulih Toll Road and Terbanggi Besar-Pemalang Panggang-Kayu Agung Toll Road.

The toll tariff discounts will be applicable for all vehicle categories during the Eid al-Fitr travel period from April 3 until April 5 at 05:00 a.m. Jakarta time, and during the return period from April 17 until April 19 at 05:00 AM WIB.

Meanwhile, toll tariff discounts on the Krian-Legundi-Bunder Toll Road for category II and III vehicles will be 14 percent, and for category IV and V vehicles will be 35 percent. These toll tariff discounts will be applicable for 17 days, from April 3 until April 19.

"The toll tariff discounts apply for non-cash transactions with sufficient electronic card balances. Therefore, we urge the public to ensure that their electronic card balances are sufficient during their journey," Basuki concluded.

The Transportation Ministry forecasts that 193.6 million individuals, approximately 71.7 percent of the nation's populace, will partake in the Eid exodus this year, marking a significant 50 percent rise from last year's exodus. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi encouraged the public to commence their travels early to evade congestion.

"President Joko Widodo suggested embarking on the journey early. The peak occurs four days before Eid (which falls on April 10). Therefore, we recommend traveling five to ten days before Eid as it's less congested then. Even our toll roads are offering discounts," remarked Budi.

The government anticipates that the majority of the population movement during Eid homecoming will be directed toward Java Island, with the three largest destinations being Central Java with 61.6 million people, East Java with 37.6 million people, and West Java with 32.1 million people.