TransTRACK and APTRINDO Discuss the Challenges and Future of Truck Transportation in Indonesia

Jakarta, April 30, 2025 – TransTRACK and APTRINDO in collaboration with DPC APTRINDO Surabaya successfully held a webinar entitled “Trucking Challenges & Innovation: It’s Time to Move Forward!” which invited hundreds of participants from various logistics industry backgrounds, ranging from transportation entrepreneurs, operational managers, driver communities, to observers of the land transportation sector. The event became a strategic platform to discuss the actual challenges faced by trucking players and explore technology-based solutions to answer the evolving needs of the industry.

In the main session, Wayan Sumadita, Chairman of DPC APTRINDO Surabaya, underlined the important role of APTRINDO as an association that is now present in 23 provinces throughout Indonesia. APTRINDO houses various types of fleets and truck businesses, not limited to large companies, but also includes micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that play a vital role in maintaining the continuity of distribution at the local level. In the Surabaya area alone, the majority of members come from MSMEs with a fleet that has now reached more than 2,000 units, and continues to grow every month.

Furthermore, Wayan explained how trucks are the backbone of national logistics distribution. The existence of trucks allows route flexibility, reaches remote areas, and is an important part of the multimodal transportation system. Without trucks, the fulfillment of people’s needs and the smooth running of national supply chains would be severely disrupted. Trucks are also big contributors to the economy through tax payments, especially for private vehicles, as well as their ability to respond quickly and dynamically to spikes in demand. In this context, trucks serve not only as a means of transporting goods, but also as a driver of regional economic growth.

However, the trucking industry in Indonesia is still plagued by various challenges in the field. High operating costs are a major burden, mainly due to fluctuating fuel prices, expensive spare parts, and high vehicle maintenance costs. In addition, businesses are also faced with burdensome vehicle taxes and levies, uneven and often damaged road infrastructure, and a lack of supporting facilities such as safe and adequate parking lots. The issue of road safety, the risk of theft, and low digital literacy among small businesses also complicate the situation.

One of the major issues discussed was the Over Dimension and Over Loading (ODOL) policy. APTRINDO received many complaints from its members regarding the implementation of this policy. Although it supports driving safety, businesses hope for a fairer transition and assistance approach. The policy of limiting truck operating hours during the mudik flow period has also come under scrutiny. These restrictions have proven to cause severe congestion at various points, increase the price of goods, and complicate the distribution process because market demand actually increases at that time. On the other hand, the Zero Overload policy implemented by the government also pressured business margins as it resulted in increased logistics costs.

In facing these challenges, APTRINDO emphasizes the importance of operational efficiency and internal improvement among businesses. One common issue is the absence of an effective vehicle maintenance reporting system-often the driver goes straight home without providing a vehicle condition report to the mechanic. In addition, the need for regular driver training, increased vehicle insurance knowledge, and digital literacy are important aspects to encourage the trucking industry to be more professional and competitive.

The webinar also emphasized the importance of digital transformation in the road freight logistics sector. Technology is considered a strategic solution to lower operational costs, improve safety, and provide full visibility of fleet movements through real-time tracking. By utilizing big data, automated reporting systems, and performance analytics, businesses can make faster and more accurate decisions, improve customer satisfaction, and support government policies in building a modern and sustainable national transportation system.

In this context, TransTRACK introduces an integrated digital solution that can help truck businesses track fleets in real-time, monitor driver performance, schedule maintenance, and create business reports automatically. APTRINDO itself is ready to bridge its members to adopt technology like this in order to face the challenges of the times more adaptively and efficiently.

The event was closed with an interactive question and answer session that showed high enthusiasm from the participants. Some participants also won door prizes of shopping vouchers worth a total of Rp1.5 million and exclusive merchandise, as a token of appreciation for their active participation.

About TransTRACK TransTRACK is a data-driven technology company that provides fleet management solutions, real-time vehicle tracking, and reporting systems for the transportation and logistics sectors. With its integrated platform, TransTRACK supports operational efficiency, security, and business growth in the digital era.

About APTRINDO  APTRINDO (Indonesian Truck Entrepreneurs Association) is a national organization that houses truck businesses throughout Indonesia. APTRINDO is committed to fighting for the interests of its members and encouraging the advancement of the land transportation sector through advocacy, training, and technology collaboration.