Makassar. The South Sulawesi provincial government has introduced an odd-even license plate system for purchases of subsidized Pertalite gasoline and diesel at fuel stations across the province, in a weeklong measure aimed at reducing long vehicle lines and traffic congestion.

Under the system, vehicles with license plates ending in an odd number may purchase subsidized fuel only on odd-numbered dates, while those ending in an even number may do so on even-numbered dates.

The policy took effect on Sunday and will remain in place for one week.

Provincial authorities said the measure was introduced to ease long lines at fuel stations that had spilled onto surrounding roads and caused traffic congestion in several parts of South Sulawesi.

Officials said the impact was already visible on the first day, with lengthy lines largely disappearing from roads near fuel stations.

“From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, we did not see vehicle lines stretching onto the road,” Fahlevi Yusuf, head of the Public Order and Security Division of the South Sulawesi provincial government, said in Makassar.

He said motorists had generally complied with the restrictions, while officers were deployed at fuel stations to provide guidance.

“People have complied with the odd-even system,” Fahlevi said.

He said conditions on the first day were markedly different from before the policy was introduced. Vehicle lines that had previously extended onto public roads were now contained within fuel station premises.

“The difference is very clear. There are no longer lines on the road, and even inside the fuel stations, the queues are only about half as long,” Fahlevi said.

Motorcyclist Andi Muhammad Fikri Rafi'i said the odd-even arrangement was a reasonable option for addressing the lengthy fuel lines seen previously.

“This is a good option to deal with the problem we had before, when the lines became overwhelming,” Fikri said.

He said he had learned about the new system through news reports and social media, adding that officers stationed at fuel stations were helping motorists understand the restrictions.
 

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