A top tourism academic in Bali has spoken to the media about the need for the province to better manage its public transportation services.
At present, there are limited public transportation options in Bali for locals and for tourists. As the government looks to develop more links, one academic says consideration must be given to how these services will integrate.
The Head of the Research and Service Center at Bali Tourism Polytechnic, Diah Sastri, spoke to reporters on Monday 25th February. Sastri spoke about how tourism development in Bali must be conducted in unison with the development of improved public transportation.
Sastri explained, “the mode of transportation in Bali must complement each other and meet the needs of tourists who will visit Bali and also the daily mobility of the community.”
He went on to explain how public transportation must not merely be a means of moving from one place to the other, but become an integrated part of the travel experience for tourists too.
A study conducted by Bali Tourism Polytechnic found that comfortable, safe, and easily accessible transportation services support the sense of joy travelers experience as they move.
The study found that this was even more important for solo female travelers and travelers with additional needs who depend upon security and accessible support.
Sasri noted, “Therefore transportation is not only about mobility but also about destination inclusivity providing accessible and available options for everyone.”
He continued “With the integration and connection between modes of transportation, tourists would have more options that can be adjusted to their preferences and travel needs.”
Sasri noted how public transportation planning in Bali must also consider all types of users, from locals to tourists, young to old, and solo transport users to families and groups.
Sasri used the example of young travelers, both domestic and international who want to visit many different destinations in Bali, who may not follow conventional travel routes, and who may not have the funds to use taxis and private drivers.
Public transport should connect them to all the destinations that they want to explore with ease, whether that be on or off the beaten path.
The academic also assessed how the development of public transportation in Bai must pay attention to tourist’s needs, but also maintain the cultural values of the province.
He shared “For example, by presenting a mode of transpiration that accommodates modern technology but still maintains local cultural elements.”
Sasri shared “Acceleration and synergy between transportation service providers, government, and local communities are the main keys in creative adaptive, inclusive and sustainable transportation systems for the tourism sector in Bali.”
Whether Sasri’s findings will be taken into account by public transportation developers in Bali remains to be seen. There is a huge effort underway in Bali to help mitigate the island’s longstanding issue with traffic congestion and to help keep tourists moving with ease and comfort.
A series of new water taxi services will be launched in the coming months that will help connect tourists to top beach resorts directly from Bali Airport.
New ocean shuttle services are set to connect I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport directly with Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Canggu. A cross-sea service is also expected to be launched to connect airport passengers directly with the outlying island of Nusa Penida.
Just this week a new sea taxi service was launched between Tanjung Benoa, Serangan Island, and Pedungan.
As the roads of the central south of Bali become more congested harnessing the potential of marine taxis is a key objective for leaders.
Work has begun on the Bali Urban Rail Network, a new metro and railway line that will connect the central south of the island in a whole new way. However, the service is not expected to be operational until 2030.
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