Key developments – On October 17, 2026 Bali’s provincial government and state‑owned PT Pertamina Patra Niaga rolled out an odd‑even licence‑plate system that restricts fuel purchases at gas stations based on the vehicle’s plate number. The measure was intended to curb fuel shortages, but queues at pumps have continued to overwhelm commuters.
Why it matters – The persistent queues highlight the difficulty of managing fuel distribution in a tourism‑heavy island even with demand‑side controls. Prolonged delays affect daily commuting, tourism, and logistics, potentially hampering Bali’s economic recovery after the pandemic and raising public frustration with policy effectiveness.
What to watch next – Authorities may tighten purchase limits, expand the scheme to additional fuel types, or introduce supplementary supply measures such as increased tanker deliveries. Monitoring the impact on fuel stock levels and any further regulatory adjustments will be essential to gauge whether the odd‑even system can alleviate the shortages. [[1, 2]]