Trans Metro Dewata Sees Low Passenger Numbers, Koster Prepares Evaluation

The operations of the Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) bus service are deemed suboptimal. Bali Governor Wayan Koster has spotlighted the low number of passengers using the service.

Koster made these remarks during a meeting at the Main Building of the Bali Provincial DPRD on Wednesday (25/3/2026).

“If we look at it, the buses are empty with not many passengers. So it needs to be evaluated rather than wasting a lot of money with empty buses. Only continue with what is effective,” said Koster.

Koster assessed that the funding scheme for the TMD buses requires overhaul. The budget allocated by the Bali Provincial Government along with the Denpasar City Government, Badung Regency, and Gianyar Regency totals Rp 49.7 billion through a sharing mechanism.

According to him, an evaluation is necessary because it could burden regional finances. This is considering the still low passenger numbers even though TMD routes connect the Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar, and Gianyar areas.

The statement was delivered by Koster during the agenda of presenting the Regional Head’s Accountability Statement Report (LKPJ) for the 2025 Fiscal Year, as well as a speech marking one year of leadership by Bali Governor-Deputy Governor Wayan Koster-I Nyoman Giri Prasta.

On that occasion, Koster also stressed the importance of transforming transportation towards a more environmentally friendly system.

One of the steps being promoted is the acceleration of battery-based electric motor vehicle use, both in government environments and public transport.

In addition, studies for the development of Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) in the Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan (Sarbagita) areas are also requested to be expedited as part of future transportation solutions in Bali.