Dedi Mulyadi Declines Sole Investor Role in Bandung Raya BRT, Eyes Other Regions

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has acknowledged that the provincial government cannot become the sole investor in the construction of the Bandung Raya BRT. Despite the project’s significant profit potential, budget constraints and the need to consider many other regions were the main factors behind this reluctance. He explained that the West Java Provincial Government chose not to be the sole investor in order to maintain fairness in budget allocation for other districts and cities outside Bandung. “Today we understand that West Java’s budget is not only for Bandung City, but for the entire West Java province. If everything is focused on Bandung City, then the people of Garut will not get their share of roads,” Dedi said after attending the inauguration of the Bandung Raya BRT infrastructure development on Wednesday (22/7). Although the Bandung Raya BRT project has a very high level of profitability, the West Java Provincial Government is prioritising equitable and fair infrastructure development first. This decision also opens up opportunities for the provincial government to study and become an investor in development projects in other regions, including BRT systems. Dedi outlined several plans for public transport management in other agglomeration areas. In addition to the Bandung Raya BRT, he noted that the Bogor Raya and Bekasi Raya areas also require similar mass transport infrastructure development to keep pace with high economic and industrial growth. “With the development of public transport in city centres, I see two epicentres: the Bandung Raya area and the Bogor Raya and Bekasi Raya area,” he said. According to him, the Bodetabek area, which borders the capital city, has an extraordinary population density. “The presence of integrated mass transport in Bogor Raya and Bekasi Raya is crucial to easing congestion while serving the high mobility needs of the community,” he said.