Bandung Raya and Mebidang to Roll Out BRT to Ease Congestion
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government is accelerating the development of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Bandung Raya and Mebidang (Medan, Binjai, Deli Serdang) to reduce congestion while steering the public away from private vehicles toward a more efficient and integrated public transport system.
The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) together with the World Bank is developing the Bandung Basin Metropolitan Area BRT project in the Bandung Basin region and the Mebidang BRT covering Medan, Binjai, and Deli Serdang.
Director of Road Transport, Directorate General of Land Transport, Kemenhub Muiz Thohir said the project forms part of strengthening the national public transport system that supports daily connectivity of citizens.
‘At present we are working with the World Bank to develop pilot projects for BRT North Sumatra and BRT in Bandung with dedicated lanes, stops, including ITS development to support operations,’ Muiz said.
He explained that the success of urban transport transformation in the ASEAN region is determined by the availability of reliable, efficient, affordable, and inclusive bus services.
Therefore, the government is expanding collaboration with local governments, transport operators, industry players, and development partners so that public transport becomes more integrated and the main choice for the public.
‘So the concept we are developing for the Bandung and Medan BRTs is a collaboration between the central government and local governments,’ Muiz clarified.
According to him, the central government will build BRT infrastructure, while the provision of fleets including electric buses becomes the responsibility of local governments.
The project is prepared to support metropolitan Bandung mobility integration while also alleviating daily traffic congestion.
The Bandung Raya BRT system is planned to have 18 service routes with support from 256 stops and depots at Leuwipanjang and Cicaheum.
The government targets full operation of these services to begin in mid-2027.
Currently, construction of stops and depots continues at several locations. The arrangement of transport-supporting areas is also being carried out, including the clearance of semi-permanent buildings in the Jalan Ahmad Yani area or Cicadas.