September 1, 2026 | 09:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bali is moving forward with plans to develop a battery-powered electric tram to transport tourists from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu. The plan is outlined under the cooperation signed by the Bali Provincial Government, the Badung Regency Government, and state-owned railway company KAI, to alleviate traffic congestion and support tourism.
"The comfort of tourists must be maintained, and the tram is expected to become a new attraction for Balinese tourism," said Bali Governor Wayan Koster after the signing in Denpasar on Tuesday.
The agreement signed was a follow-up to a proposal from the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the Bali Provincial Government.
The electric tram is deemed a concrete solution to unravel the congestion in the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport-Canggu corridor, which has a daily traffic volume of up to 150,000 people and 80,000 vehicles.
He ensured that in addition to supporting tourism, the 12-kilometer electric tram line would take into account the presence of hotels, tourist accommodations, tourist attractions, the environment, settlements, and the lives of the local community.
Governor Koster agreed that infrastructure development must not disrupt Bali's ecosystem.
"Transportation development must maintain Bali's uniqueness, preserve its beauty, support tourism, and avoid disrupting the lives of the surrounding communities," he said.
Koster further explained that the tram was specifically designed to be different from conventional trains. It is small, even smaller than a bus with a width of just over 2 meters, quiet, environmentally friendly, and battery-powered, free of floating cables.
The battery-based technology for the tram is intended to minimize environmental impact and noise levels while ensuring the comfort of local residents and tourists on the Island of the Gods.
According to the agreement, the electric tram is projected to have a travel time of 30 minutes with a 10-minute departure interval.
The tram is targeted to carry up to 60,000 passengers per day, or accommodate 40 percent of regional mobility.
Following the signing, the Bali Provincial Government, along with stakeholders, will immediately conduct technical studies and outreach, involving traditional villages.
The groundbreaking ceremony is planned for March 2027, with the first route expected to begin operations in 2028, and the entire Canggu line to be fully completed by 2029.
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