As Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, embarks on his second term as provincial leader, he has been speaking to the media about his vision for the next five years.
As expected, some of his biggest announcements relate to public transport and Bali’s struggling road network, issues that frequent Bali tourists are all too familiar with.
Governor Koster has announced plans to build a series of new roads within Denpasar City that will help reduce traffic congestion in the city center and in the surrounding tourism resorts.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday 27th February, Koster confirmed that he and his teams will continue to take the issue of traffic congestion in Bali seriously.
He wants to invest in a series of infrastructural development projects that will support the smooth flow of movement throughout the island for local communities and tourists.
The new roads the Koster-Prasta Provincial government is set to develop include the construction of a new road connecting Sunset Road to Mahendradata, in addition to West Gatot Subroto Road towards Canggu, which is a project that leaders in Bali have been issuing updates on regularly over the last couple of months.
Koster is also set to oversee the development of the new Ahmad Yani Underpass and the Tohpati Underpass-Akasia Intersection towards Padanggalak Intersection.
Work on the West Gatot Subroto Road, also known as the new West Gatsu Street will start, tentatively, in 2025 with a feasibility study.
This was confirmed by the Acting Regional Secretary of Badung, Ida Bagus Surya Suamba in January 2025. He revealed “We target the land acquisition process to be carried out in 2026. So that a year later, in 2027, hopefully, the physical construction of the road can be carried out.”
A new major car parking area will be developed in the resort of Sanur and from it there will be a series of shuttle bus services directly to Sanur Port, to help reduce traffic congestion for tourists traveling from Sanur Port towards destinations like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan.
The Bali Provincial Government will be working with the Denpasar City Government and the Badung Regency Government to invest IDR 5 trillion into these developments over the next five years.
Koster told reporters, “The development of road infrastructure connecting cities and districts in Bali will be the main solution to solving traffic congestion problems.”
Koster has also promised to bring Bali’s Trans Metro Dewata public bus service. Due to restrictions in funding from both the central and provincial governments, Bali’s biggest public bus service was forced to cease operations on 1st January 2025.
While the bus service had faced criticisms for its routing options, the service provided a vital affordable means of transport for thousands of students and commuters across the central south of Bali.
The bus service, though not widely used by tourists, was a lifeline for many local Balinese residents. As Made Sutama told reporters on Thursday “We really hope that Trans Metro Dewata will operate again soon. This is very helpful for the community, especially those who do not have private vehicles.”
Though available for tourists, most did not utilize the Trans Dewata Bus service, simply because access to private transport such as online taxis, and private drivers, as well as renting vehicles to self-drive around the island, are all deemed to be worth the cost for the comparative convenience.
Koster told reporters on Thursday, ”We will meet with the Mayor of Denpasar, the Regents of Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan. The Trans Metro Dewata bus will be reactivated.”
He noted that he was aware of the increased traffic congestion that was triggered by the bus services being halted. Koster shared “The existence of public transportation is an effective solution to overcome traffic congestion, especially in Denpasar and Badung.”
Badung Regency is home to Bali’s biggest tourist resorts including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
Governor Koster revealed that he is committed to developing public transport options for local communities and tourists, whether that be by land, sea, or air.
He shared “We will improve road infrastructure connecting cities/regencies throughout Bali, accelerate the use of battery-based electric motor vehicles, and solve traffic congestion problems.”
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