Transport plans for Indonesia

Indonesia’s Government is setting a US$20 billion budget for transport and energy sector development. The Indonesian Government plans to build 559km of new roads as part of a new transport infrastructure programme.

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta faces a growing problem due to severe traffic congestion, which is particularly intense at peak periods. Increasing vehicle numbers in the city mean that the existing traffic problem is fast getting worse. The authorities are looking at policies to address the issue. Official data suggests that vehicle numbers are increasing by 9%/year, equivalent to an additional 1,117 vehicles taking to the city’s roads every day.

The problem of congestion is being compounded by the fact that the road network is not increasing at anything like the same rate. New roads are increasing the network by just 0.01%/year. To address the issue the Ministry of Public Works is developing a dual policy that combines both short and long term measures. But unless the short term measures are carried out quickly and prove effective, Jakarta could face gridlock as early as 2014. New roads are planned as part of the programme being devised by the Ministry of Public Works. In all some 4,792km of new roads will be required to add to the existing 7,208km so as to help address the city’s current chronic traffic congestion.

A $1.3 billion toll road project in Indonesia is being funded by a syndicate composed of various financial institutions. In all 22 banks or financial institutions are coming together to provide a loan worth $917 million for the new Cikampek-Palimanan toll road. 1290 Export-Import Bank of Malaysia (Exim Bank) is one of the banks involved and is providing $95 million in credit facilities to Lintas Marga Sedaya, which is working on the project. The majority stake in Lintas Marga Sedaya, 55%, is owned by PLUS Expressway.

Meanwhile toll road firm 1083 Jasa Marga has been evaluating its options with regard to a 23km flyover project that would connect Cibubur with Senayan. The route would be tolled but its high estimated construction costs would require it to be more expensive for drivers than other routes. It is expected to cost $731-835 million to construct and the individual toll is likely to cost 4-5 times as much as the current inner city toll.