"It is free. This will ensure that to-and-fro travel will be smooth and not burdensome for the community. This is just for Lebaran," Jokowi stated after inaugurating the Pandaan-Malang Toll Road at the Singosari Toll Gate, Malang District, on Monday.
President Jokowi inaugurated the Pandaan-Malang toll road section 1-3 along the 31-kilometer stretch, while sections 4 and 5, spanning 7.48 kilometers, are yet in the process of being completed. On the whole, the Pandaan-Malang toll road measures 38.5 kilometers in length.
During his speech, President Jokowi confirmed that travelers will no longer have to pay tariff to use the Pandaan-Malang Toll Road Section 1-3, specifically Pandaan-Singosari, until Eid 2019.
"I spoke to the state-owned enterprises minister in hushed tones to end tariff until Lebaran, as a trial," the president noted.
The head of state revealed that BUMN Minister Rini Sumarno had agreed to his request of zero tariff to use the recently inaugurated Pandaan-Malang Toll Road, spanning 30.7 km in Section I-III.
"The request has already been met. The time period that the president requested for was not given," Jokowi stated to which the audience applauded.
The completed toll road section 1-3 will further simplify and speed up the mobility of goods, services, and other aspects. Such progressively efficient conditions are projected to also lower costs.
The Pandaan-Malang toll road segment is divided into five sections, with section one connecting Pandaan with Purwodadi in Pasuruan District, followed by section two, linking Purwodadi to Lawang, Malang District, while the third section covers Lawang to Singosari Malang District.
Section four connects Singosari to Pakis, Malang District, while section five links Pakis to Malang City. Following the completion of the five sections, the toll road will be extended to the southern Malang area, or towards Kepanjen, Malang District.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
