The construction of the first phase of Bali’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) commenced with a ceremony held at Kuta Sentral Parkir on Wednesday, 04 September 2024. A “ngeruwak” ceremony was conducted by the Provincial Government of Bali and the main contractor for the transportation system, PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (BSDJ), in the Kuta Parking Lot that will serve as the central station for the rail system. The “ngeruwak” ceremony is a traditional Balinese ritual intended to spiritually cleanse the land to be used by the Bali MRT Network.
Quoted by BaliPost.com, the Interim Governor of Bali, S.M. Mahendra Jaya, confessed: “Frankly, in the beginning, I was apprehensive and faint-hearted.” The Governor said he initially worried about whether the massive transportation project would be able to attract investors and a main partner capable of undertaking the construction of the MRT. Over time, Nahendra was persuaded by the enthusiastic response of international investors who were eager to become involved in the Bali MRT project.
“What’s more, I was visited by the Energy Minister of Dubai, who also submitted a cost quotation. He proclaimed he was ready to invest in the project and provide finances up to a 75% level,” said the Governor.
The Governor was pleased to learn that although the MRT was not paid from the National Budget, it remained an attractive proposition for global investors. Mahendra Jaya confirmed that eight massive tunnel boring machines (TBM) have been ordered to create the tunnels for the rail system.
The TBM equipment is scheduled to arrive in Bali in April 2025 and represents six more boring machines than the two used to build the Jakarta subway system. The diameter of the Bali tunnel boring machines measures 7.2 meters, more than the 6-meter diameter of the machines employed in Jakarta.
The MRT subway tunnels will be positioned 30 meters below land level.
BSDJ has selected PT Indotek as the main contractor with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and has been chosen to cooperate with the Bali contractor PT Sinar Bina Karya.
The Bali MRT will be built in four phases.
- PHASE ONE: Bali’s Airport – Sentral Parkir Kuta – Seminyak – Berawa – Cenagi (16 km)
- PHASE TWO: Bali’s Airport – Jimbaran – Udayana University – Nusa Dua
- PHASE THREE: Sentral Parkir Kuta – Sesetab – Renon – Sanur
- PHASE FOUR: Renon – Sukawati – Ubud
The first phase is targeted for completion in 2028, with phases one and two to be completed in 2031. The total cost of the first two phases is budgeted at US$10.8 billion, and the total cost estimate for all four phases is US$20 billion.
The time needed to complete phase one is longer due to the rocky and hard soil along that route.
The State News Agency Antara reports that the Bali MRT will operate on double-track systems. Each departure will have six carriages, each designed to carry 40 passengers. The train system will operate 24 hours a day, running at 10-minute intervals.
Prices for riding the Bali MRT System have yet to be determined, with Bali legislators suggesting Balinese with local ID cards should be allowed to ride for free or at substantially discounted rates.
A weekly pass rate for Island visitors of US$35 to US$40 has been proposed.
The Bali MRT is a way of reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
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