Governor Bobby Inaugurates Mebidang BRT, Pushes Medan-Binjai-Deliserdang Public Transport Integration
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) must develop into an interconnected and integrated transport system, North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution said at the inauguration of the Mebidang BRT serving the Medan-Binjai and Medan-Lubukpakam routes. According to him, the event was not merely about launching buses but about connected and integrated transport. “This also encourages a change in the public’s mobility culture from private vehicles to public transport,” he said.
The presence of this electric bus-based public transport service is a strategic step towards realising a modern, integrated and environmentally friendly transport system in the Medan, Binjai and Deliserdang (Mebidang) metropolitan area. Bobby Nasution said the success of the BRT is determined not only by infrastructure development but also by service consistency, punctuality, safety and ease of access for the public.
According to Bobby, public transport development is the government’s responsibility to provide decent mobility options. The growth of private vehicles, he said, must be balanced by the provision of comfortable and affordable public transport. “The more private vehicles there are, the harder it is for the government to provide services. That is why the government must prepare public transport,” Bobby said.
He also asked all regional heads in the Mebidang area to set aside sectoral egos and jointly support transport system integration. The Mebidang BRT must not stop at the launch of a bus fleet but must develop into an interconnected and integrated transport system.
After the inauguration, Bobby Nasution and his entourage tried out the Mebidang BRT by taking an electric bus from Lubukpakam Terminal to Pos Blok Lapangan Merdeka Medan. Director of Road Transport at the Directorate General of Land Transportation Muiz Thohir said the presence of the Mebidang BRT is part of the government’s efforts to build a more modern and integrated urban transport system.
In accordance with the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN), urban area development is one of the national priorities. There are around 20 priority cities or urban areas, including the Medan area and its surroundings. Based on TomTom Traffic Index data, congestion in Medan City reaches around 54.2 percent. This means a journey that normally takes 10 minutes can take longer due to traffic density.
Therefore, public transport development is considered important to reduce public dependence on private vehicles while also reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. To support this, the Ministry of Transportation launched the BRT Transit programme in the Medan and Greater Bandung areas as pilot projects supported by the World Bank. “Development is not merely a physical process. There is investment in the quality of life of the community, economic productivity and a greener future,” Muiz said.
Head of the North Sumatra Transportation Agency Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan said the launch of the electric BRT in the Mebidang area is part of the North Sumatra Provincial Government’s commitment to improving connectivity and providing modern, safe, integrated and environmentally friendly public transport. The programme is aimed at tackling congestion, improving travel time efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
During the trial phase, two electric buses began operating to evaluate technical conditions and travel times while providing education to the public. “Full operations are targeted to begin on 8 December 2026 with a total of 30 electric buses, consisting of 14 units for Corridor 11 (Teladan–Lubukpakam Terminal), 13 units for Corridor 12 (Simpang Barat–Binjai), and three units as reserve fleet,” Yuda said.
During the trial period, the public can use the service free of charge. Once fully operational, the planned fare is Rp 4,300 for general passengers and Rp 3,000 for special categories such as students, people with disabilities and the elderly.