Traffic jams expected as thousands of vehicles enter Bali during holiday: officials
Authorities in Bali are expecting more incoming traffic from Java today, following the 20,000 motor vehicles that have reportedly crossed to the island since Dec. 23.
“Maybe you are already experiencing the impact on traffic, especially in Denpasar and Kuta, as well as around the airport,” Adi Sulistyo Utomo from Denpasar Police Traffic Unit said yesterday, as quoted by Tribun.
Adi said the number of vehicles are expected to peak today, most of which are cars coming from Java through Gilimanuk Port in Bali’s Jembrana regency. He added that many are coming from Banyuwangi, East Java, while some originated from Jakarta and Bandung.
The holiday season has always been a busy time for Bali, with more domestic tourists visiting from other parts of Indonesia. Officials said they have observed more holidaymakers coming using private vehicles, especially with the increase of domestic airfare prices over the past year.
“We estimate that there’s been about 40 percent increase [of cars entering to Bali] due to the new toll road and expensive plane tickets, so those who are going on the new year holiday to Bali are taking their own private vehicles,” AA Ngurah Rai Yuda Darma, who heads Badung regency’s Transportation Agency, told Detik.
If you have somehow avoided the traffic congestion in Bali, all the commotion might be building up even more now with New Year’s Eve coming tomorrow. We’re not exactly keen on going out and getting stuck in traffic, as these videos have more than convinced us to stay at home.
Read more news and updates from Bali here.
