Bali MRT Project Stalled with No Updates, Transport Minister Provides Explanation

Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has revealed that the mass rapid transit (MRT) project in Bali has yet to proceed. The project, which broke ground in September 2024, has halted and shows no signs of continuation.

The Bali MRT is an ambitious initiative aimed at tackling severe traffic congestion in Bali, particularly in Denpasar and its surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the status of this mega project is now unclear.

Dudy stated that the MRT Bali development plan has not progressed because no investors are interested in continuing the project. Although his team had previously received indications that the project would go ahead due to investor interest in building the rail network.

“Regarding the progress of the Bali MRT development plan, we did receive news of interest previously, but currently, no investors have come forward or wish to discuss the development of the MRT in Bali again,” Dudy said during a working meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

Although no investors are currently discussing the project’s continuation, his team is still seeking investors and offering the project plan to enable construction to begin.

“So we are still trying to offer it to parties that were previously interested in developing rail lines in Bali, whether MRT or LRT in the Bali region,” he explained.

For information, the rail-based mass public transport project in Bali first emerged in 2024. At that time, the project proposed was the development of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) consisting of four networks.

Even then, the LRT project, or Bali Urban Subway, had held a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2024, conducted by PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (SBDJ) together with PT Bumi Indah Prima (BIP), and attended by Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya.

However, after that, there were no further updates on the project’s development. Two years later with no news, the LRT plan was then changed to an MRT, still handled by PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (SBDJ).

The MRT construction will be carried out in four phases. The first phase route will cover Ngurah Rai Airport, Central Kuta Parking, Seminyak, Berawa, and Cemagi.

The second phase will include routes from Ngurah Rai Airport, Jimbaran, Udayana University, and Nusa Dua. The third phase will connect Central Kuta Parking with Sesetan, Renon, and Sanur. Meanwhile, the fourth phase will cover Renon, Sukawati, and Ubud.