.jpg?1709142647 "Tram Line Connecting Bali’s Kuta And Canggu Set To Improve Tourist Transportation")
Transportation is once again hitting headlines in Bali this week.
With the South Bali Ring Road now under construction, all eyes are falling on major public transportation upgrades set to change the way local people and tourists interact with the south coast forever.
Badung Regency is home to top destinations like Canggu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran and Uluwatu. The Badung Regency Government has announced plans to develop new public transport networks in the region, including a new tram line that will connect Kuta with Canggu.
The idea was first floated in 2024, and fast-forward two years, officials are starting to create formal proposals for the project.
This week, the Badung Regency Government has met with the Board of Directors of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI). They laid out the plan, confirming that the idea to create a tram line will help resolve many of the traffic congestion issues on the roads between Kuta and Canggu.
The Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, told the media that the proposed plan to create an integrated public transportation network is the most impactful solution available in responding to the challenge of congestion, as well as boosting the quality of tourism in Badung Regency.
He explained, “The Kuta -Canggu tram development plan is designed to be directly integrated with the regional road infrastructure currently under construction.”
Regent Arnawa confirmed that the Badung Regency Government plans to develop a road with a width of up to 24 meters, part of which will be allocated specifically as a tram rail corridor.
He added, “Besides toll roads, which remain a priority, building rail connectivity is far more effective. All main roads in Badung will be dedicated to dedicated lanes. This plan will also be implemented in the Nusa Dua area and Kuta Central Parking.”
There will also be a new park and ride system implemented, with a new parking area next to Kuta Central Parking.
The system will enable tourists and those in private vehicles to park in Kuta Central Parking, and catch a tram to stops all along the coast through to Canggu. There are hopes that, in turn, this will also help reduce illegal parking in these areas, helping to keep traffic flowing freely too.
Regent Arnawa told reporters, “We hope that close synergy between regional governments, the central government, and state-owned enterprises such as PT KAI can accelerate the realization of a modern, safe, and comfortable public transportation system.”
The Head of the Badung Regency Transportation Agency, Anak Agung Gede Rahamdi, told reporters, “We at the Transportation Agency accompanied the Regent when he received a visit from PT KAI officials regarding the planned construction of this tram.”
Adding, “However, the technical and physical construction work falls under the authority of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR). We at the Transportation Agency will act as the user and traffic operations manager.”
He assured reporters that in the planning process, the Badung Transportation Agency will ensure that the tram network and all new transportation developments will be adapted to an in-depth study of the characteristics of the area and local traffic conditions.
He concluded, “We assure you that all levels of the Badung Transportation Agency are ready to fully support the implementation of this integrated public transportation program to provide maximum comfort for road users, local residents, and international tourists.”
Fingers crossed all this means that soon tourist traffic will be a thing of the past.
However, it will be a long time yet until tourists can buy their park and ride tickets, so it’s still best to plan for traffic at peak rush hour throughout the central south of Bali.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.