Bali Tourism News

Bali to operate integrated transportation system in 2010

April 16th, 2009

Wasti Atmodjo ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Denpasar

The Bali provincial administration is scheduled to operate an integrated transportation system connecting the municipality of Denpasar with neighboring Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan regencies, in an attempt to reduce traffic congestions in these areas.

Chairman of the Bali chapter of the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), I Ketut Eddy Dharma Putra, revealed the plan after meeting with Denpasar Mayor IB Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra on Tuesday.
Eddy said there would be 17 new routes linking the provincial capital with the three neighboring regencies.

“In the first stage of the project, we will trial run three main routes in early 2010,” he said.

“Most of the routes will cross Denpasar, so we expect the city administration will coordinate with the provincial and regional transportation agencies.”

The development of the transportation system - nicknamed Sarbagita - is mainly aimed at encouraging people to use public transportation services instead of their private cars or motorcycles.

Most cities in Bali, including Denpasar, have limited transportation infrastructure, with an increasing number of vehicles and motorcycles causing chronic traffic jams.

“The regional administrations should actively participate by preparing feeder routes as well as spacious and comfortable shelters,” said Eddy.

“There will also be parking lots near the shelters.”

Eddy said Organda members were currently buying air-conditioned medium-sized buses with a capacity of 20 passengers for the new transit system.

“We expect residents will use public transportation instead of their private cars and motorcycles, thereby reducing traffic jams in the four regions,” he said.

Dharmawijaya welcomed the new transit system, expecting its implementation to start soon.

“The sooner the better because traffic in Denpasar is getting worse every day,” he said.

He said he had asked Denpasar Transportation Agency head Made Astika to cooperate with related agencies at both provincial and regional levels.

The mayor admitted the city only had a few public transportation vehicles and very little supporting infrastructure such as spacious parking lots, adequate bus shelters and well-designed bus terminals.

“Many existing bus shelters have been converted into *business sites’ for street vendors,” the mayor said.

“Maybe it is better to simply tear down those shelters and build new ones in accordance with the Sarbagita transit system.”

Source: The Jakarta Post

Entry Filed under: Bali Tourism News