DENPASAR, BALINEWS – The Bali Provincial Government has introduced an odd-even license plate system for subsidized fuel purchases at gas stations across the island from October 17 to 19, 2026, in an effort to ease long queues and improve fuel distribution.
Under the policy directed by Bali Governor Wayan Koster, four-wheeled vehicles are limited to a maximum of 20 liters of fuel per purchase, while two-wheeled vehicles are allowed a maximum of three liters. The volume restrictions will remain in place until fuel supplies and services return to normal.
According to a circular issued by the Bali governor and circulated among journalists, vehicles with odd-numbered license plates are permitted to refuel on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The policy will remain in effect for three days, through Monday, October 19, before being evaluated in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
“The policy is part of efforts to address queues and regulate fuel distribution at gas stations,” the circular stated.
To reduce congestion caused by large vehicles during the day, Koster has asked that trucks be directed to refuel at night. Ambulances and fire engines, meanwhile, must receive priority access to fuel to ensure emergency services can operate without disruption.
Koster has also instructed Pertamina to introduce improvements to its refueling system, including extending operating hours, monitoring gas stations designated to operate 24 hours a day, increasing the number of fuel tanker trucks, and ensuring adequate fuel stocks at every station.
The governor has also encouraged the implementation of digital queue management systems to regulate vehicle flows and speed up service.
Gas stations that fail to assign an operator to each fuel dispenser have been instructed to make immediate improvements. Stations that fail to comply with the requirements may face sanctions. If corrective measures are not taken, Pertamina may take over their operations, and their operating permits may be subject to review.
Subsidized fuel restrictions will also be applied according to designated vehicle eligibility criteria. During periods of heavy congestion, subsequent refueling may be regulated based on previous purchase records and vehicle odometer readings, using a mechanism that takes into account whether at least 70 percent of the fuel purchased during the previous refueling has been consumed.
Meanwhile, Pertamina has reported increasing fuel stocks to maintain supplies across Bali.
Ahad Rahedi, Area Manager for Communication, Relations and CSR at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga's Jatimbalinus Regional Office, said a coordination meeting involving Bali Governor Wayan Koster, the presidents of PT Pertamina (Persero) and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, and their respective teams had produced several measures to accelerate fuel distribution.
The meeting took place late on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 11 p.m. Central Indonesia Time and continued into the early hours of the following day.
As of October 17, fuel stocks at the Manggis fuel terminal in Karangasem and the Sanggaran terminal in Denpasar totaled 48 million liters, according to Pertamina.
“This stock is sufficient to meet demand for the next 14 to 15 days,” the company said in a statement.
Pertamina added that it would continue replenishing supplies according to demand to maintain fuel availability across the island.
To improve service, Pertamina has expanded 24-hour operations to 66 gas stations, comprising 42 in Denpasar and 24 in Badung. The company has also deployed an additional 16 fuel tanker trucks to accelerate deliveries to gas stations.
In addition, 100 personnel from the Indonesian Military's IX/Udayana Regional Military Command have been assigned to support nighttime operations as gas station attendants. Bali Police have also deployed patrol and escort units to help fuel tankers travel smoothly to their destinations.
These measures are expected to speed up refueling services, reduce vehicle queues, and ensure smoother fuel distribution to gas stations throughout Bali.
Residents have been urged to comply with the odd-even system, observe the applicable fuel purchase limits, and follow instructions from personnel at gas stations.
The Bali Provincial Government said the policy would be evaluated after its three-day implementation period, with any subsequent measures to be determined in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
