TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The volume of traffic that exited the tollway exit ramp at Cileunyi in Bandung regency has significantly risen as the Eid holiday season enters its' second day. "We have observed a 51 percent increase compared to a normal, off-season day," said Purbaleunyi's Tollway Traffic Manager, Cece Kosasih to Tempo on Thursday, July 7, 2016.

According to Cece, the spike in traffic volume is caused by the influx of local holiday-makers, which are making their way to tourist hotspots around Garut and Tasikmalaya - that said, Cece also said that such spike in volume is considered normal around the Eid al-Fitr holiday season.

Congestion was observed around Cileunyi's exit ramp on Thursday morning - with queues of vehicles reportedly stretching up to seven kilometre. Around 10.00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB), the queue has diminished to three kilomeres. "Queues were reported at the 148 Kilometre marker - as a response, we opened 10 tollbooths to ease the congestion," said Cece.

According to figures received by Tempo, the number of vehicles that exited Cileunyi's exit ramp has reached 15.672 units as per 13.00 WIB - while 8.821 units were recorded to have travelled in the opposite direction.

Based on Tempo's observation, as per 14.00 WIB, the traffic jam at Cileunyi's intersection has begun to ease - although average speeds around the area remain low. The congestion is due to the fact that the intersection is where traffic originating from the City of Bandung from Cileunyi tollway meets the seasonal holiday traffic heading towards the Southern trunk route to Nagreg, as well as the Central trunk route heading towards Jatinangor in Sumedang Regency.

"We are managing the congestion by rerouting traffic around Jl. Jatinangor - vehicles heading to Garut and Tasikmalaya are diverted through the alternative route through Tanjungsari, which leads to Parakan Muncang," said the Head of Cileunyi Police, Comr. Edi Suwandi.

AMINUDIN A.S.