Indonesia allocates about Rp2 trillion for Bali electric tram
The planned line would connect Bali’s airport with Canggu in two phases, with construction expected to take approximately two years.
Indonesia’s government has allocated approximately Rp2 trillion to develop a rail transport system in Bali, according to Bobby Rasyidin, president director of state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI).
Speaking after meeting President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, Rasyidin said construction would take approximately two years. The first phase would link I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with Legian, followed by an extension to Canggu.
KAI, the Bali provincial government and the Badung Regency Government previously agreed to develop a battery-powered electric tram between the airport and Canggu. The agreement, signed on September 1, aims to reduce congestion and support tourism.
The airport-Canggu corridor carries up to 150,000 people and 80,000 vehicles daily. Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the planned 12-kilometre line would serve tourists while taking account of hotels, visitor accommodation, attractions, residential areas, environmental concerns and local communities.
Koster said the infrastructure should protect Bali’s ecosystem and distinctive character, support tourism and avoid disruption to residents. He also said the tram was expected to provide another tourism attraction.
Rasyidin and Prabowo also discussed speeding up the redevelopment of Jakarta’s Gambir Station alongside the National Monument (Monas) area. Estimated to cost Rp2 trillion, the station project has a 2028 completion target. Plans include integrating the station with Monas Park and improving transport connections, including a link between Gambir’s eastern corridor and the Jakarta MRT network to the west.
