27 Trans Semarang electric buses launched
Semarang (ANTARA) - A total of 27 Trans Semarang electric bus units were launched during the 2026 National Transportation Day celebrations at the Semarang City Hall courtyard, Central Java.
Speaking in Semarang on Wednesday, the Mayor of Semarang, Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti, stated that the launch is part of a target to rejuvenate 132 units out of a total fleet of 284 units by 2026. The objective is to realise a public transport service that is modern, inclusive, and environmentally friendly.
In addition to adding cleaner vehicles, efforts to reduce emissions are being undertaken through the replacement of older vehicles. The Mayor urged the public to actively report operational buses that still emit thick smoke so that they can be promptly addressed in the fleet replacement process.
“Removing them all at once might be too extreme. However, we are reducing them gradually, replacing one high-emission bus with a new one at a time, until eventually the entire fleet is completely clean,” she said.
The 12-metre “low deck” electric buses, produced through a collaboration between PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas Tbk (VKTR) and PT Laksana Bus Manufaktur (Laksana), have been prepared for Corridor I, covering the Mangkang Terminal–Penggaron Terminal route. This fleet, which connects the western and eastern regions of Semarang, began operating gradually on 25 September 2026 and is targeted to be fully operational before the end of the year.
With a capacity of up to 60 passengers, the buses are designed to facilitate access for persons with disabilities and citizens with limited mobility. With zero direct exhaust emissions and lower operational noise levels, the presence of electric buses also provides an opportunity for the public to witness the use of electric vehicles in public transport services firsthand.
“Previously, people wondered where to recharge them, and there were concerns about battery degradation over time. By introducing electric buses to Trans Semarang, the public can see their reliability directly,” she said.
She emphasised that the transformation of public transport must proceed through the implementation of more sustainable technologies to improve the quality of life for citizens. “We hope this transformation provides better mobility options for the community while serving as part of a collective effort to create a healthier and more sustainable urban environment,” she added.
The President Director of VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas Tbk, Ardie Bakrie, expressed his appreciation for the Semarang City Government’s steps in transforming public transport. “As a national industry, VKTR and its partners remain committed to supporting all sustainability initiatives implemented in Semarang,” he said.
National Transportation Day also serves as an opportunity to encourage all transportation sectors to treat September as a reinforcement of the culture of transport safety, which must be maintained throughout the year.
Following the launch, the Mayor of Semarang and her entourage personally tested the electric buses by touring the area around the Semarang City Hall.