Padang-Bukittinggi Main Route Cuts Off, West Sumatra Provincial Government Restricts Supply-Solok Goods Transport

Transportation Service officers regulate traffic flow on Padang-Solok road, West Sumatra, Friday (5/12/2025). BETWEEN/HO-Humas West Sumatra Provincial Government

JAKARTA - The Provincial Government of West Sumatra (West Sumatra Provincial Government) has tightened the operation of freight transportation on the Padang-Solok route through the Lauik Review.

This step was due to the increasing density of transportation after the hydrometeorological disaster which caused the breakdown of the main Padang-Bukittinggi route.

"We have carried out a trial of regulating the gradual release of goods transportation from Solok to Padang on December 2-3," said Head of the West Sumatra Transportation Service Dedi Diantolani in Padang, Friday.

He said that in the traffic engineering implemented, his party released 10 units of goods cars per five minutes from Solok to Padang on the grounds of a derivative road. Meanwhile, from Padang to Solok, it began to be released at 20.00 WIB because it climbed and caused traffic jams.

According to him, natural disasters that have occurred have forced all vehicles to use the Sitinjak Lauik route which has a steep incline and a narrow bend so that it is prone to accidents and congestion.

The Lauik Review Line is an alternative because the main Padang-Bukittinggi route through the Anai Valley and Malalak was cut off due to flash floods.

A major change in the travel pattern where all vehicles are diverted to the Padang-Solok section via Sitinjak Lauik must be handled with strict traffic arrangements.

As a control measure, the West Sumatra Transportation Agency has set restrictions on the operating hours of freight transportation through the West Sumatra Governor's Notification Letter which was prepared with related parties.

The policy is implemented to reduce the burden on congestion-prone points, prevent the accumulation of vehicles at certain times, and maintain smooth access for priority public transportation and logistics.

"Restrictions are important so that the Lauik Review route remains functional for community mobility with a main focus on smoothness and safety," he said.

Previously, the West Sumatra Transportation Agency together with related parties carried out direct supervision at the Indarung Command Post and the Lubuk Selasih Weigh Bridge with a focus on supervision including compliance with freight transport to operating hours, handling heavy vehicles that experienced disturbances, and quick response to sudden incidents on the Lauik Review route.

In addition, related agencies also recorded an increase in tariffs in a number of domestic city transportation routes (AKDP) due to route diversion. The results of monitoring in the field show a spike in tariffs outside the provisions of West Sumatra Governor Regulation Number 7 of 2025. Furthermore, the West Sumatra Transportation Agency gave a warning to operators who violated and asked for tariffs to be enforced according to the rules.

"Our principle is clear, namely that people should not be burdened excessively just because the temporary route has changed," said Dedi.