The Indonesian Transport Society (MTI) has warned the Bali Provincial\nGovernment and the Badung Regency Government against allowing the tram\nproject to fail.<\/p>\n
MTI Central Advisory Board member Djoko Setijowarno stated that Bali\nmust learn from Semarang and Bogor, where similar rail development\nefforts failed. He suggested the implementation of local regulations,\nsimilar to those in Pekanbaru and Batam, to ensure the project\u2019s\ncontinuity across different regional leadership terms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe battery-based electric tram project on the Ngurah Rai\nAirport-Kuta-Canggu route requires special attention from the Bali Local\nGovernment to ensure the plan does not remain merely an agreement on\npaper,\u201d Djoko told detikBali on Thursday (3\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
He identified critical points that the Bali government must address,\nspecifically the clarity of track sterilisation and the management of\nthe Right of Way. Furthermore, narrow and mixed-use roads pose a risk of\nthe trams becoming stuck in traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe characteristics of the Kuta-Canggu corridor are very dense and\nnarrow. The Local Government must ensure that land allocation or road\nwidening efforts truly realise a dedicated right-of-way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While the project is considered aesthetically appropriate for tourist\nareas due to its lack of overhead electric cables, the emphasis must\nremain on track sterilisation and physical road spatial planning to\nensure reliable punctuality for the trams.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Civil Engineering academic from Soegijapranata\nCatholic University warned against sidelining existing road-based public\ntransport, such as Trans Metro Dewata. Instead, the tram must be\ndirectly and accurately integrated with bus networks, taxis, and other\nfeeder services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe local transport ecosystem must be restructured to prevent social\nconflict once the tram is operational,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Djoko also highlighted the need for certainty regarding financial\nfeasibility schemes and the sustainability of subsidies. He noted that\nif the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) is disproportionately high compared\nto the Regional Budget (APBD) capacity, it could pose a risk, as\nPublic-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes often struggle to reach\nfeasibility agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bali Local Government must clearly map the budget burden\ndistribution between the State Budget (APBN), provincial or regency\nbudgets (APBD), PT KAI, and the private sector,\u201d said Djoko.<\/p>\n
He suggested utilising creative regional funding potential, such as\nallocating portions of the Foreign Tourist Levy or Specific Goods and\nServices Tax (PBJT) to support operational subsidies.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Djoko expressed concerns regarding the construction\nprocess, which could impact heavy tourist traffic in areas like Kuta and\nCanggu. Therefore, the Bali Provincial Government, Badung Regency\nGovernment, and local police must plan traffic engineering to prevent\nthe local economy from being paralysed.<\/p>\n
Finally, Djoko advised that there must be clarity regarding the\noperational institution of the tram. Issues such as the uncertainty of\nthe concession holder, whether the operator will be a Regional-Owned\nEnterprise (BUMD) or a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN), and the lack of a\nregional regulatory framework for urban rail operations need to be\naddressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Local Government needs to formalise an institution, for example,\nthrough a BUMD consortium acting as a Transport Authority in Bali, to\nprofessionally manage tariff integration, scheduling, and service\nreliability,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mti-warns-bali-tram-project-must-not-fail-1788418481", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }