As the Christmas and New Year holidays in Bali get underway, the authorities are doing all that they can to keep the island moving safely and efficiently.
In anticipation of a huge surge in the number of vehicles on the roads, especially over New Year, leaders are providing more public transport options for tourists.
If there is anything that the authorities in Bali want to avoid, it is a repeat of New Year 2023. Travel chaos hit Bali and hit the island hard last year, with hundreds of tourists forced to abandon their taxi rides along the Mandara Toll Road and walk the final stretch of their journey to I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of Bali Transportation Agency, IGW Samsi Gunarta, explained that thirty buses have been prepared to transport passengers in the event of a 2023-style emergency on the roads, as well as help reduce congestion, especially during peak traffic.
Gunarta explained, “We’ve prepared 30 buses on days that are expected to be of concern. We only have Trans Sarbagita; later, we will ask for support from Trans Metro Dewata as well.”
Last year, these free emergency shuttle bus services were put in place at a moment’s notice after travel chaos had ensued in the central south of the island. This year, the Bali Transportation Agency is better prepared.
He confirmed that he and his teams have been coordinating efforts with supporting transportation agencies to ensure that traffic flow remains efficient even at peak travel times, especially for lanes leading to Bali Airport.
Gunarta added that one of the strategic steps in place ensures that emergency lanes on toll roads and national highway roads remain free from queues.
Vehicles parked in emergency lanes, especially near Ngurah Rai Airport, will be removed to maintain space for movement in the event of an emergency.
With these steps, leaders are hopeful that transportation during Christmas and New Year in Bali can run smoothly so that both tourists and the local community can enjoy the holiday comfortably and safely.
Road users have been warned, however, that they must obey the traffic management systems in place across the province to help keep traffic congestion to a minimum.
Gunarta concluded, “The emergency lane will be used for emergency purposes if there is a traffic jam. Therefore, I ask all parties to pay attention to this.”
While the emergency bus shuttle service may come into effect if traffic congestion gets too intense, the vast majority of tourists will be using private taxi services to travel between their hotels and the airport and between landmarks and attractions.
If it does come into effect, officials from the Bali Transportation Agency will issue updates regarding the shuttle bus service times.
Last year, the service ran hourly, with pick-up points in Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, shuttling tourists to the airport. With widespread flooding, fallen trees, and landslides being reported across Bali, tourists are urged to plan their journeys accordingly.
The Bali Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency publish daily weather warnings and weather forecasts on their Instagram page, and tourists are encouraged to, as best they can, plan their day trips and excursions around forecasts of heavy rain.
When the sun does come out to play, Bali’s roads, especially those around resorts like Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Jimbaran, and Sanur, as well as further north in Ubud, also become seriously congested.
The Berawa-Canggu Shortcut route, for example, is in a state of almost constant gridlock, with the number of vehicles trying to travel across the route ahead of sunset almost doubling. In many cases, it is proving easier to walk than to hop on a motorcycle taxi for journeys of under 2km.
As ever, pedestrians are advised to be extra mindful as sidewalks in Bali are not always connected and sometimes become unofficial traffic lanes for motorcycles during times of congestion.
Nevertheless, this has almost become part of the Bali experience now, and by following a few simple guiding principles, the traffic and rainy season flooding need not impact a vacation on the island.
Leave plenty of time, pack your patience, and bring a raincoat!
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.