East Kalimantan expands modern public transport system
“East Kalimantan has begun a major transformation to provide modern and comfortable urban transportation for the public,” said Mochammad Rayani, an official at the East Kalimantan Transportation Office, in Samarinda on Friday.
He explained that, at this initial stage, the mass transportation project is still receiving funding support from the state budget.
One of the pilot programs in Balikpapan City has attracted strong public interest in the Balikpapan City Trans (Bacitra) service.
A total of 21 Bacitra buses operate daily, recording an occupancy rate of over 100 percent, with daily ridership reaching 6,332 passengers.
Acting Regional Secretary of Balikpapan, Agus Budi Prasetyo, said that although the Transportation Ministry will fully cover operational costs until 2026, the Balikpapan City Government is preparing to assume management in 2027, with projected annual costs of Rp22 billion (around USD1.2 million).
Preparations for the transfer of authority include the gradual development of supporting infrastructure, such as bus stops. A total of 125 bus stops are planned, with 33 already constructed through collaboration between the local government and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
Following Balikpapan City, Head of the Samarinda City Transportation Office, Hotmarulitua Manalu, said his office has conducted a feasibility study mapping the needs for seven main routes and six feeder routes.
He noted that providing public transportation that meets minimum service standards is urgent, as the existing conventional system lacks reliable waiting times, prompting people to switch to private vehicles.
He added that efforts to encourage a shift to mass public transportation would not only reduce household transportation costs but also help lower traffic accidents and vehicle emissions.
“Our target is for the mass transportation program in Samarinda to be included in the Bappenas program so that it can receive central government funding in 2027,” Manalu said.
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Translator: Ahmad Rifandi, Cindy Frishanti Octavia