President Orders Reduction of Toll Tariffs During Idul Fitri Festivities

Sidoarjo, E Java, June 12 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo has ordered the reduction of toll road tariffs by 25-30 percent during 10 days before (D-10) and five days after (D+5) the Idul Fitri festivities. "To celebrate the festivities, there will be another prize. I order the reduction of toll road tariffs by 25-35 percent from D-10 to D+5," the president stated while inaugurating the Gempol-Pandaan turnpike in Pasuruan district, East Java, on Friday. He expressed hope that the reduction of toll road tariffs would help to stabilize the commodity prices when the nation celebrates the Idul Fitri festivities this year. The president acknowledged that he wanted to ensure the smooth distribution of goods ahead of the festivities, so that the prices will be stable. "Ahead of the festivities, (the distribution of goods) affects the prices. The most important thing is to provide facilities to make the prices stable," he affirmed. In this regard, the president expressed hope that all toll roads in Java would be connected by 2018. "There is no need to note it, I will always remember it," he said. The Gempol-Pandaan turnpike will reduce travel time from Surabaya to Malang, East Java. The 13.61-kilometer turnpike, built at a cost of Rp1.472 trillion, is connected with the Gempol-Pasuruan turnpike in the east and the Porong-Gempol turnpike in the north. The Gempol-Pandaan turnpike is operated by PT. Jasamarga Pandaan Tol, which is 78.58 percent owned by PT. Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk; 11.84 percent by PT. Jalan Tol Kabupaten Pasuruan; and 9.58 percent by PT. Margabumi Matraraya.