Suramadu Bridge Is No Longer a Toll Road, Now Free!

Speaking of toll roads in Indonesia, you are certainly familiar with the Suramadu toll road. This toll road serves as a connector between Java Island and Madura Island and is often referred to as the Suramadu Bridge. This has expanded the mobility of the people of Java and Madura. However, did you know that the Suramadu Bridge is no longer classified as a toll road? So when did this happen? For more details, please pay attention to the following review.

When Did the Suramadu Bridge Stop Being a Toll Road?

The Suramadu toll bridge was built in 2003 by President Megawati and continued by President SBY. This bridge was completed and inaugurated on June 10, 2009, by President SBY. The bridge functions as a toll-free road connecting Java Island and Madura Island. In addition to functioning as a toll-free road, the Suramadu Bridge is also expected to improve the infrastructure and economy of the people in Madura Island.

The Suramadu Bridge itself is approximately 5.4 km long and about 3 km wide. This makes the Suramadu Bridge dubbed as the longest toll bridge in Indonesia. However, after nearly 9 years of operation, specifically on October 27, 2018, this bridge was no longer used as a toll road. This is in accordance with the order of President Jokowi as stated in Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 98 of 1998 regarding the Surabaya-Madura Bridge.

In this regulation, it is stated that the Suramadu Bridge is exempted from toll road tariffs. Although it is free, the bridge is still used as the main access for crossing from Java Island to Madura Island or vice versa.

Why is the Suramadu Bridge No Longer Used as a Toll Road and Made Free?

There are several reasons that underlie why the Suramadu Bridge is no longer used as a toll road and is made free. The complete reasons are as follows.

1. The proposal for free toll tariffs from community leaders and local religious figures

The exemption of tariffs for the Suramadu Bridge is not without reason. In 2015, several community leaders and local religious figures proposed that the toll for two-wheeled vehicles be made free. This proposal was accepted by President Jokowi in 2016 by reducing the established toll rate by half.

2. The imposition of toll tariffs has not provided significant economic growth

The second reason why the Suramadu Bridge was made free and became a non-toll bridge is that the toll tariffs imposed so far have not had a significant impact on the economic growth of the Madura community. In fact, the poverty rate and inequality in the Madura community at that time were greater than in several areas in East Java.

The poverty and inequality rates in the Madura community were around 16-23% when the Suramadu toll was operational. Meanwhile, the poverty and inequality rates in other areas of East Java, such as Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Gresik, Malang, Mojokerto, and others only reached 6%.

3. The exemption of toll tariffs is expected to boost the economy of the Madura and Surabaya communities

The exemption of toll tariffs on the Suramadu Bridge is expected to open up investment opportunities, job creation, and tourism sectors in the Madura region, thus positively impacting the economic growth of the area.