Sea Toll Still Ineffective
The 2-year-old sea toll program has not significantly reduced the price gap, particularly in the eastern regions of Indonesia.
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Goods transported on so called sea-toll vessels are carried by motorboat from Saumlaki City to Selaru Island in West Maluku Tenggara regency, Maluku, on Sunday (28/1). While the vessels were hoped to bring down logistical costs, the prices of goods remain high.
MAKASSAR, KOMPAS — The 2-year-old sea toll program has not significantly reduced the price gap, particularly in the eastern regions of Indonesia. In a number of areas targeted for the sea toll, prices are still high for basic and essential commodities. This has been due in part to the sea tollgates’ lack of control over the distribution of goods and irregular shipping schedules.
The government launched the sea toll road program in November 2015. The program involves the regular, scheduled and subsidized transportation of goods from Java Island to disadvantaged, remote and borderland areas. The program is expected to guarantee the supply of goods and minimize the price gap.