Trans Sarbagita Bus, One Solution for Congestion Problem in Bali

Bali now has a congestion problem which is really complicated. Congestion happens everywhere, especially around the Denpasar Ciy and Badung as the tourism center. The development of transportation infrastructure to keep pace with the growth of private vehicles in Bali meet the various constraints such as limited land, lack of funds, and resistance from several parties to ease the traffic congestion in Bali (the construction of underpasses and toll roads). Bali Provincial Government had to act quickly to solve this congestion problem. One solution is to prepare the mass transportation that cheap and convenient. This transportation model was named Trans Sarbagita (Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan). It is hoped the presence of Trans Sarbagita Bus become one of the long-term solutions for the congestion problem in Bali, pending the construction of underpasses and toll roads, which until now unclear when it will be implemented.

Trans Sarbagita is a model of mass transportation that serving the routes of four districts and city of Bali, Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan. Trans Sarbagita Bus itself has been introduced by the Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika on August 17, 2011. The bus routes from Trans Sarbagita covers 17 major routes and 36 branches/twigs routes as an integrated public transport services.

For the initial stage of the Trans Sarbagita plan with 18 buses from the central government assistance will serve three routes. The first route ie from the middle of the city of Denpasar (Puputan Badung Field) to the By Pass Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua, GWK, and ends on the campus of Udayana University. The second route includes Batubulan, Sanur, Simpang Benoa, Dewa Ruci, Kuta Central Parking, Dewa Ruci, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua. While the third route will serve the route from the terminal of Batubulan, Sunset Road, Simpang Dewa Ruci to Nusa Dua. That three routes will be evaluated before the opening of other new routes.

The operational time of the Trans Sarbagita Bus is every day from 5:00 WITA until 21:00 WITA. Buses will depart every 15 minutes, so regardless of the number of passengers the bus is guaranteed to depart. On average the bus will stop at the bus stop for 1 minute. For general passenger charged IDR 3,500, whereas for students charged IDR 2,500 for the each way. For the location of bus stops, most are placed in locations that are near the crowd. So even though the parking area around the bus stops is not available, you can park your vehicle in the crowded places nearby. Here is a list of the bus stop locations of Trans Sarbagita Bus that have been built, Batubulan - Nusa Dua Route (Batubulan, Tohpati, Prof. IB Mantra, Padanggalak, Matahari Terbit, Sindhu, Danau Poso Poso, Serangan, Pesanggaran, Pedungan, Dewa Ruci 2, Kuta Central Parking, Sunset Road East Kuta, Dewa Ruci 1, East Kuta, Jimbaran, Taman Griya, Bualu, Nusa Dua 1, BTDC), and Nusa Dua – Batubulan Route (BTDC 1, BTDC 2, Nusa Dua 2, Bualu, Taman Griya , Jimbaran, East Kuta, Dewa Ruci 2, Kuta Central Parking, Sunset Road East Kuta, Pedungan, Pesanggaran, Danau Poso, Sindhu, Matahari Terbit, Padanggalak, Prof. IB Mantra, Tohpati, Batubulan).

Over the next five years the other route will be developed throughout Sarbagita, here are some lists of Trans Sarbagita Bus routes plan Denpsar - Batubulan, Batubulan - Nusa Dua Via Kuta Central Parking, Sanur - Petitenget Via Civic Center, Sanur - Ubud PP Via Kedewatan, Gianyar - Pesiapan Via Mengwi, Sanur - Nusa Dua Via Ngurah Rai Airport, Mengwi - Ngurah Rai Via Kerobokan, Mengwi - Benoa Harbour Via Denpasar, Mengwi - Batubulan Via Darmasaba, Sanur - Canggu Via Denpasar, Tegal - Mambal, Kuta Central Parking - Tanah Lot, Sanur - Lebih Via Safari Park, Batubulan - Ngurah Rai Via Gatsu, Ubung - Kuta Central Parking Via Mahendradata, Mengwi – Batubulan Via Dalung, and Batubulan - KutaCentral Parking Via Kuta. The entire routes will be supported by 11 branches and 25 twigs routes.

In the midst of the various reactions that emerged in the community for several weeks after the operation of the Trans Sarbagita Bus, it is proper we give appreciation to the government which has attempt to solve the congestion problem in Bali that increasingly complicated. The community must participate succeed the government efforts to solve the congestion problem, the way is to start utilizing public transportation modes in a variety of activities and the community should also be aware that the accretion of transportation infrastructure is no longer able to compensate for the increase of private vehicles. Come on Krama Bali, do not just remain silent, start to use this mass transportation.

Sources: Bali Post, VIVAnews, balebengong.net, dishubinkom.baliprov.go.id