TULUNGAGUNG – Bus schedules at Gayatri Type A Terminal in Tulungagung continue to operate normally despite traffic diversions caused by the ongoing replacement of Gondang 1 Bridge, local transportation officials said.
The Gondang 1 Bridge project has forced authorities to reroute heavy vehicles from Trenggalek to Tulungagung. However, terminal operators confirmed that intercity and interprovincial bus departures from Gayatri Terminal still follow their regular schedules without disruption.
Rusmanto, the coordinator of Gayatri Type A Terminal, said transportation services from the terminal remain stable because operators have successfully adjusted to the temporary traffic arrangement.
“So far, departures from Gayatri Terminal are still safe and running normally. We have not recorded any schedule changes,” Rusmanto said on Tuesday.
Although Tulungagung departures remain unaffected, several bus operators in neighboring Trenggalek have started adjusting their departure times. Operators from Surodakan Terminal reportedly moved schedules forward by about one hour to avoid delays caused by longer travel routes.
Authorities no longer allow heavy vehicles to pass through the Gondang corridor during the bridge replacement project. Instead, buses and trucks from Trenggalek must travel through Bandung District before continuing to Campurdarat and entering Tulungagung City.
Rusmanto explained that the alternative route increases travel distance by roughly 10 kilometers compared to the normal route previously connected by Gondang 1 Bridge. Traffic congestion along several diversion points has also become a major concern for bus companies.
Because of those conditions, some transportation operators decided to revise travel times to maintain punctuality and minimize delays for passengers. Even so, Rusmanto stressed that each bus company still controls its own operational schedule.
“The departure schedule for routes heading to Trenggalek remains the responsibility of each bus operator,” he explained.
Meanwhile, terminal authorities continue coordinating with related agencies to monitor traffic conditions along the diversion route. Officials aim to ensure that public transportation services remain efficient and comfortable for passengers during the bridge replacement process.
The Gondang 1 Bridge replacement project has become one of the key infrastructure works affecting regional transportation access between Tulungagung and Trenggalek. Despite the traffic changes, public bus services continue to operate smoothly, helping commuters maintain daily mobility across East Java.
Transportation officials also urged passengers to arrive earlier than usual for long-distance trips, especially for routes connected to Trenggalek, as traffic conditions on the alternative road network may fluctuate during peak hours.