Senopati Parking Area Empty After Tourist Buses Banned, Mayor Hasto: Maximise Non-Bus Vehicles

The Senopati Special Parking Area (TKP) in Gondomanan, Yogyakarta City, has become quiet following the enforcement of the tourist bus parking ban. In response, Yogyakarta Mayor Hasto Wardoyo is preparing strategies to make the TKP Senopati bustling again, even without incoming tourist buses.

Hasto stated that the impact of this policy is similar to the earlier ban on tourist buses entering the North Alun-Alun area. With the right response, the North Alun-Alun gradually became lively again.

Besides, Hasto said, the TKP Senopati will not simply die out because minibuses and private cars are still allowed to park.

“We are maximising the Elf (minibus), those non-bus vehicles are being maximised there (TKP Senopati). While we’re at it, we want to liven it up there too, for example, like the old joglo at North Alun-Alun now,” said Hasto when met at the Yogyakarta City Hall on Thursday (9/4/2026).

“Back then (at North Alun-Alun), buses also entered there, it was quite hectic at first, then the old joglo came and it became lively. This solution is like the old one; we can liven it up in other ways,” he continued.

Hasto said the same approach can be applied at TKP Senopati, and it could even be better.

“It’s more suitable there (Senopati) for hanging out, close to Malioboro, more strategic than North Alun-Alun. Although I won’t build permanent structures, but artistically it can be for hanging out,” he said.

“So an elegant place, it’s cool there, later there will be music, rather than it becoming a shabby place where people get off the bus and litter there,” added Hasto.

With this approach, Hasto is confident that the complaints from Senopati residents about the lack of visitors will be resolved. However, if the traders in Senopati remain doubtful, Hasto has also prepared other strategies as options for the traders.

Hasto has found stalls in two current bus parking areas, namely TKP Ngabean and TKP Menara Kopi, which are occupied by residents from the former TKP Abu Bakar Ali. These two TKPs are indeed projected to accommodate buses that usually choose to park at TKP Senopati.

“Then also requesting space at Ngabean and Menara Kopi for traders from Senopati; if those who feel sales are low at Senopati, we can give space there. I got 73, from Ngabean about 40 something, from Menara Kopi about 30 something,” said Hasto.

“I won’t interfere in dividing them; please, friends from Senopati can divide them however they want. My task is to direct as many buses as possible to Ngabean and Menara Kopi so they can sell well,” he continued.

However, Hasto only makes the relocation step as an option for the traders. He emphasised that the traders are still allowed to occupy TKP Senopati.

“I don’t have exact numbers yet (number of traders in Senopati), maybe 150-200 including the hawkers. Of course they can, very much so (trade at Senopati), and I’m also trying to liven up Senopati by directing Elfs, small vehicles there while we see how it develops,” he explained.

Previously, the Senopati TKP residents themselves complained about a drastic drop in income due to the tourist bus parking ban policy. But according to Hasto, this policy must be taken because of the provisions from the mandate to establish the Yogyakarta Philosophical Axis.

“The Philosophical Axis policy is clear, that the direction to condition the Philosophical Axis is no parking in the core zone, including Senopati. Therefore, we comply,” said Hasto.

Regarding the impact felt by the Senopati TKP residents, Hasto said the Yogyakarta City Government also feels it. Namely, the potential decline in regional income from the Taman Pintar tourism destination.

It is known that Taman Pintar, located right north of TKP Senopati, is a favourite destination for school study tours. For that reason, said Hasto, the Taman Pintar side also needs to think creatively in responding to the bus parking ban policy at TKP Senopati.

“Actually, it’s not just them (Senopati TKP residents) who are sacrificing; we at City Hall are also sacrificing, because Taman Pintar’s turnover can be Rp 16 billion a year; if no buses go there, it could drop,” said Hasto.

“Yes, this is it; Taman Pintar must be creative to make shuttles, so if people who want to go to Taman Pintar are picked up at (TKP) Ngabean or Menara Kopi and then taken using small buses,” he added.