The new Bali Urban Rail Network may not be welcoming its first passengers until 2031, but leaders have already shared updates about how much tourists can expect to pay for their tickets.
With the rail network set to be free to use for Bali residents, tourists will be footing the bill of the multi-billion dollar project in the long run.
The first stone was officially laid earlier this week, and local politicians, spiritual leaders, and business developers attended the Ngeruak Ceremony in Kuta.
Construction is now officially underway on the long-anticipated transportation initiative. Initial construction work is set to be completed in the second quarter of 2028, and the Bali Urban Rail Network will be fully operational by 2031.
In a press interview, the Director of PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (SBDJ), which is the main contractor for the project, Ari Askhara, revealed more details about how the Bali Urban Rail Network will change the way in which tourists travel around the southern regions of the island.
Askhara explained, “Our projection is for tourist tariffs to range from USD 35 to USD 40 in a week. For example, if 40 USD is around IDR 600,000. So in a week, whenever, wherever you want to go, it will be more efficient.”
He added, “We want local residents to be free as long as you have a Bali ID card. We are trying, what we are definitely trying for is free [travel].”
Askhara’s commitment to making travel on the Bali Urban Rail Network free for Bali residents was backed by the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya.
He explained, “I hope tickets are free later. Yes, Bali ID Card. So be grateful if you have a Bali ID card so you can enjoy it later.”
He noted that the majority of the train users will be foreign tourists, and therefore, leaders feel it is right that they should be charged a ticket fair.
However, 2031 is a long time away; with the first two phases of the project set to cost USD 10.8 billion and phases three and four budgeted at USD 20 billion, charging tourists USD 40 for a week’s travel card may seem like a bargain in years to come.
It could well be the case that tourists are charged much more for a ticket.
With USD 30 billion set to be invested in the project, if hypothetically all of Bali’s 7 million annual tourists used the train line and paid a USD 40 fee, it would take over 100 years before the project would come close to turning a profit even without economic fluctuations factored in.
In a press interview, Askhara further outlined how each phase of the project will be manned. In April 2025, ten boring tunnel machines will be imported into Bali to start creating the underground train network.
Construction teams this month will start creating the corridors needed for the heavy machinery to tunnel through later.
Askhara confirmed that as the tunneling work is happening underground, teams will also be working to create the train stations above ground.
Askhara added, “For the first phase, we are projected to be able to operate in early 2028. For phase two at the end of 2028. Why? The soil conditions in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Cemagi are rocky, so the work is a bit slow, with a drilling process of three meters per day.”
“If Nusa Dua is lime soil, it can take 30 meters per day to process, so it is faster.”
The Bali Urban Rail Network is set to revolutionize the way in which tourists navigate around south Bali. The first train line will connect Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai international Airport with Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu’s Berawa, and Cemagi.
The second line is a circular route set to pass through Bali Airport, Jimbaran, Unud, and Nusa Dua before returning to the airport.
The third route is set to include Kuta, Renon, and Sanur, with a possible fourth route connecting all the way north to Ubud in the heart of the island.
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.
Jordan
Thursday 12th of September 2024
What's with all the negativity? I'd pay $40 a week for unlimited seamless travel along these routes.
Shorty
Wednesday 11th of September 2024
The 1st stage is not due to be operating until 2031.
Yet here we have the usual whingers, critics and keyboard warriors crapping on about it.
What about the earthquakes and tsunamis. Don't show your ignorance. Jakarta, Thailand, Singapore, The Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, parts of China, Korea....all have subways . Many of these are more prone to, or at risk of tsunamis than Bali.
Pricing and ticketing. OK some early structure was floated. But why the angst? It can't be decided until projected operating costs and the level/period of amortization is set.
Usage. The claim locals won't use it is bullshit. Look at the countries mentioned.
Tourist usage. Ignore the number floated. Structured tourist rail passes are common in many countries. For here a tiered of say one day, a week and a month unlimited. I'm sure this will go into the mix when the time comes.
Let's recognise tourists and tourist movement are not the cause.
The vast amount of traffic is ordinary people going about their business.
WAYAN BO
Tuesday 10th of September 2024
Hyperloop System❓❗️
Ortana
Tuesday 10th of September 2024
Bali means: vulcanic activities "underground" , earthquakes , trafficjams because of mostly local commuters and "public" transporters. Tourists will start traveling more inland because why would you otherwise go to Bali and that will create same problems like now with even more damage to enviroment and culture. Conclusion, Bali is lost. Happy to not have an Bali ID.
Wigmore
Monday 9th of September 2024
This underground rail system will never be done in your lifetime in my opinion Just as the Gilimanuk to Tabanan expressway has never been done or even started though the gov't always has so many excuses..:((. There at are no real leaders with power or influence in Bali sadly..
Exp
Tuesday 10th of September 2024
@Wigmore, Gilimanuk toll road work actually started up but quickly run out of cash as elections came up.
LINK