Authorities in Central Java said during the Idul Fitri holiday exodus, only small vehicles, such as cars, pickup trucks and minibuses, are permitted to enter functional toll roads, which span from the Gandulan exit toll gate in Pemalang to Krapyak in Semarang as well as from Tingkir in Salatiga to Ngawi, Sragen.

“Only Hi Ace-type minibuses at maximum are allowed to travel on the functional toll roads,” Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said in Semarang, on Wednesday.

He referred to toll roads whose construction activities had not yet been fully completed but would be operating to help reduce congestion during the holiday season. All motorists using the functional toll roads will not have to pay toll.

“Big vehicles, including buses, traveling from Greater Jakarta must exit at the Brebes exit toll gate and enter Java’s northern coastal highway [Pantura]. We have reached an agreement with the transportation minister [Budi Karya Sumadi] on the matter,” said Condro.

He further explained that motorists using the toll roads also must not exceed the maximum speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour. Although the condition of both asphalt and concrete functional toll roads is now better than in 2017, its conditions are not yet perfect to accommodate vehicles driving at high speed.

Condro said the Central Java Police had prepared personnel to be deployed in front of the Kali Kuto Bridge in Gringsing to secure Idul Fitri. This is the most crucial point for the police to carry out traffic engineering, he said. (stu/ebf)