The Suramadu bridge that was officially launched last week by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was finally open to public over the weekend, with many motorbike riders complaining about the tight implementation of traffic law.

Ahmad Husain, a motorbike rider from Sampang Madura, looked very annoyed when a toll attendant told him that he was not allowed cross the bridge because he was carrying too many passengers - his wife and his 10-month-old baby - on his bike.

"Along the bridge, which I have already crossed once, there are no signs banning a baby on its mother's arms from passing through. This child is only 10 months old, man. The baby can even go to the movies without buying a ticket," Ahmad told the attendant.

Realizing his argument with the toll attendant was going nowhere, and other bikers were lining up behind him, Ahmad finally decided to cross the Madura Strait by ferry from the Ujung Port in Surabaya.

Head of Jasa Marga Surabaya-Gempol's Data Collecting Division Suyitno said the strict implementation of the law was necessary for everyone's safety.

Especially for motorcyclists, he added. It is dangerous for more than two people to ride on a motorcycle, because of the strong winds blowing over the bridge, which can reach up to 60 kilometers an hour.

"I just don't understand why people are getting angry with us, as we put those regulations in place for safety reasons," Suyitno told The Jakarta Post, Saturday.

"Some rode bicycles over the bridge, while many others stopped at the center of the bridge to take pictures, regardless of whether they were allowed to do so. We have put signs up telling people not to, do so."

Previously the Suramadu bridge project leader, Achmad Ghofar Ismail, said the bridge could last up to 100 years provided routine maintenance was carried out, and the congestion on the bridge was taken into consideration. Traffic jams were to be avoided at the centre of the bridge. Every vehicle crossing the bridge was not allowed to weigh more than 10 tons.

"It turns out that operating the Suramadu bridge is not easy because people are not aware of traffic regulation," Suyitno said.

Head of PT Jasa Marga's Surabaya-Gempol and Suramadu branch Agus Purnomo said a five-day trial was needed to make sure no problems were encountered and toll rates could be applied according to a public works ministerial decree.

Chairman of the association of East Java water transportation operators Bambang Harjo said operating the Suramadu bridge had resulted in a 70 percent drop in the number of passengers travelling by ferry from Ujung Port, which previously averaged 25,000 a day.

"We demand the Suramadu toll rates be equal to the fees charged to cross the strait by ferry," Bambang said.

At present, foot passengers are charged Rp 3,700, motorcyclists Rp 5,800, and cars Rp 70,000.

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