Headline: Bali‘s Transportation Revamp: Six Public Transport Services to Cease by 2025, Including Trans Metro Dewata
Subheading: Local authorities aim to improve public transport efficiency, but the shift draws criticism and petitions.
Article:
Bali’s transportation landscape is set to undergo significant changes in the coming years, with six public transport services slated to cease operations by 2025. This decision, taken by the Bali Provincial Government, is part of an effort to streamline and improve the island’s public transport system.
The six services that will halt operations are:
- Trans Metro Dewata (TMD)
- Trans Kစ်no (TKD)
- Trans Kanca (TKC)
- Trans Karangasem (TKS)
- Trans Badung (TBR)
- Trans Banjar (TBA)
The government plans to replace some of these services with new, more efficient modes of transport. For instance, the Denpasar Transportation Management Unit (Dishub Denpasar) will replace Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) with the Trans Sarbagita (TS), a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. Dishub Bali’s head, Gede Darmawa, explained that the change aims to provide better public transportation services to the people of Bali.
However, the planned changes have not been met with universal approval. Petitions calling for the retention of services like Trans Metro Dewata have been circulating, gathering thousands of signatures. Petitioners argue that the discontinuation of these services will inconvenience passengers, particularly those with disabilities and senior citizens. Moreover, some passengers have expressed concerns about the potential job losses resulting from the service closures.
One such concerned passenger, an elderly woman named Ni Made S tires, said, "I’ve been using Trans Metro Dewata for years to go to the market. I don’t have a private vehicle, so I rely on public transport. If they stop this service, I don’t know what I’ll do."
The government has responded to these concerns by emphasizing the need for improvement in Bali’s public transportation system. They maintain that the changes will lead to better connectivity, accessibility, and overall service quality. Critics, however, remain skeptical about the availability and reliability of replacement services.
The situation has also drawn attention to the impact of public transport closures on daily commuters’ lives. A visually impaired bus driver, I Nyoman Suardana, shared his struggles after losing his job following the cessation of Trans Karangasem’s operations. "I depended on that job to support my family. Now, it’s hard for me to find another job because of my visual impairment," he said.
As Bali’s transportation landscape continues to evolve, residents and visitors alike eagerly await updates on the replacement services and their expected improvements. Despite the challenges and criticisms, local authorities remain committed to their vision of a more efficient and convenient public transportation system for the island.
