New Buses and New Routes for Bali Mass Transport

(8/2/2010)

In a bid to improve public transport in Bali, 25 newly-acquired air-conditioned buses will start plying three new routes.

As reported by The Jakarta Post, forming part of the "Sarbargita" (Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan) transportation grid, the buses will join an existing system of mass transport crisscrossing the island.

The first new route will travel between Puputan Square in Renon and the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park and the Udayana University campus in Jimbaran. A second route will connect the Batubulan bus terminal in Gianyar passing Tohpati, Sanur, Sanggaran, Dewi Ruci Monument intersection and terminating at the Kuta Central Parking facility. The third route will run from the Kuta parking lot passing the Sunset Road, Dewa Ruci Monument and ending at Nusa Dua.

Officials are hoping an improved public transportation system will reduce traffic congestion. An official explained: "We have built 56 bus stops along those routes. We have yet to decide on a fare. It is likely that the administration will subsidize bus fares so tickets will not be too expensive for the general public."

Rp. 300 million (US$32,600) has been set aside by transportation administrators to subsidize the new bus operations during its initial 3 months of operation.

The buses have been financed via a grant from the central government in Jakarta.

Traffic planners want to introduce a total of 17 routes operating between three regencies and Denpasar by 2015.