Title: Bali‘s Trans Metro Dewata Buses Cease Operations, Leaving Residents Disappointed
The island of Bali bids farewell to its public bus service, Trans Metro Dewata (TMD), as of January 1, 2025. The decision, announced via Instagram by @transmetrodewata on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, has left residents, including prominent figures like Robi Navicula and Niluh Djelantik, disheartened.
Why the Shutdown?
The cessation of TMD’s operations is attributed to the lack of subsidy from the State Budget (APBN) for 2025. Since its inception in 2020, TMD has been sustained by APBN subsidies. While the Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov) has assured that operational funds are included in the 2025 Provincial Budget (APBD), it’s only enough to cover one corridor. Currently, TMD serves six corridors in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan, under the Sarbagita scheme.
Public Outcry
Gede Robi, vocalist of the band Navicula, expressed his disappointment, stating, "A smart city should have accessible public transportation, subsidized by the government. If not, it’s more like a ‘stupid city’!" Niluh Djelantib, Bali’s DPD (Regional Representative Council) member, also vented her frustration on Instagram, @niluhdjelantik, urging authorities not to ignore public concerns.
Surya, a 54-year-old resident of Kelurahan Sading, Mengwi, Badung, echoed these sentiments. He relied heavily on TMD for his daily commute due to its affordability. Now, he’s left struggling with the high costs of alternative transportation.
Caught by Surprise
Many commuters were caught off guard by the sudden halt in operations. At Denpasar’s Terminal Ubung, dozens of TMD buses lined up, waiting for passengers who were unaware of the shutdown. Adi Santika Jaya, a 30-year-old father, had planned a family trip to Monkey Forest using TMD but had to change his plans. He lamented the lack of affordable public transport alternatives.
Looking Ahead
Residents like Surya eagerly await the government’s response, hoping for a swift replacement or reopening of the TMD service. Bali’s transportation landscape will undoubtedly face significant changes in the wake of this development.
This article was originally published on [detikBali](https://www.detik.com/bali/bisnis/d-7713757/kecewanya-niluh-djel pancreatitis-trans-metro-dewata-setop-operasi).
