Jakarta. Indonesia is set to introduce a contactless toll collection system known as Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) in stages, beginning with a Single-Lane Free Flow (SLFF) system.

Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono outlined the gradual approach, highlighting the shift from cash to electronic cards and now to contactless technology.

"The transition from cash to plastic cards faced challenges, but now that everything is plastic, we are moving towards contactless technology gradually," he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Minister Basuki emphasized that the full deployment of MLFF will be gradual. Initially, the SLFF system, which includes barriers, will be implemented this year on the Bali-Mandara Toll Road. "We will start with Bali this year," he added.

The SLFF trial is scheduled to begin in October 2024, with full implementation expected next year. The MLFF system is targeted to be fully operational by 2029.

Triono Junoasmono, Director General of Infrastructure Financing, mentioned that upcoming negotiations will be held with Roatex Indonesia Toll System (RITS), the Hungarian firm overseeing the MLFF system.

 "We have agreed to transition from MLFF to SLFF and will soon negotiate contract adjustments and the transition method," Triono said.

SLFF facilitates continuous toll payments within each lane, serving as a preliminary step to the MLFF system, which will eventually be implemented across all toll roads. MLFF will utilize Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology and integrate with the Cepat Tanpa Stop (Cantas) application and Electronic Registration and Identification (ERI) data managed by the National Police.

Penalties for non-compliance are detailed in Article 105, paragraph 5 of PP 23/2024, which specifies fines in three levels: Level I requires payment of the toll fee within 48 hours, Level II requires payment of three times the toll fee within 240 hours, and Level III requires payment of ten times the toll fee with vehicle registration suspension if unpaid after 240 hours.

The goal of MLFF is to enhance toll road services by reducing delays, shortening travel times, and improving the competitiveness of the road network. It also aims to implement fair pricing based on distance traveled.

Jakarta, ranking among the top 10 most congested cities globally, saw drivers lose 65 hours to traffic in 2023, a 33 percent increase from 2022. Traffic speeds in downtown Jakarta were recorded at 13 miles per hour (20.92 kilometers per hour), according to the 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard by INRIX.