Yogyakarta’s Malioboro Area Set to Become Bentor-Free, Shift to Eco-Friendly Transport
YOGYAKARTA — Yogyakarta City Government aims to eliminate motorised becaks (bentors) from the Malioboro area, replacing them gradually with electric becaks deemed more environmentally friendly. The initial phase will see 50 bentors replaced with electric units operated in the city’s tourist hub.
Imanudin Aziz, Head of Parking at the Yogyakarta City Transport Office (Dishub), stated Malioboro is the priority for this traditional transport transformation. “We’re replacing them gradually so that in the future, only electric becaks operate in Malioboro, with no motorised ones,” he said on Saturday (30 May 2026).
Aziz explained that bentors currently fail to meet vehicle safety standards and eco-friendly transport principles. The government is pushing for a phased transition to electric becaks that are safer and more comfortable for drivers and passengers.
Beyond emissions concerns, bentors also lack proper administrative and technical compliance for road use. “To be more eco-friendly and humane, we’re replacing the motorised becaks, which don’t meet licensing requirements, with electric ones supported by PT KAI,” he added.
Aziz noted the number of operating bentors in Yogyakarta continues to grow, making exact figures unclear. However, the replacement process will proceed incrementally, starting with Malioboro.
“We’re transitioning to environmentally friendly and licensed vehicles. Malioboro is the priority,” he said.
Regarding recipients of the electric becak assistance, Aziz confirmed a selection process involving the bentor community, PT KAI, the DIY Regional Government, and the Yogyakarta City Transport Office. “Classification is based on community input; they screen candidates, which we then verify at the Transport Office,” he explained.
Meanwhile, replaced bentors will be destroyed as part of the fleet transition. “Why are they destroyed? Because the current assistance only covers 50 units. This is to ensure bentor drivers adopt more eco-friendly and humane practices through substitution,” he stated.