Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) service has the potential to resume operations, after the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) gave a signal to subsidize its operational budget.
On the other hand, the Bali Provincial Government also plans to take over one TMD service corridor by July 2025.
This positive signal was conveyed by a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Bali, Ni Luh Putu Ary Pertami Djelantik (Niluh Djelantik), during an audience with PT Satria Trans Jaya as the TMD operator.
Detik Travel reports that, “I have discussed with the Deputy Minister of Tourism (Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa). In principle, it has been approved by the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub). However, the Ministry of Transportation needs to see the letter,” said Ni Luh Djelantik according to an audience with PT Satria Trans Jaya in Kuta, Badung Regency.
Subsidize TMD operations
Niluh Djelantik revealed that the Ministry of Transportation had approved this in principle, even though the application letter from the Bali Provincial Government had not yet reached the Ministry of Transportation.
Therefore, Niluh took the initiative to ask for a copy of the letter so that it could be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation, hoping to get official approval from the government.
“Mbok gave the letter for the second time to the Deputy Minister of Tourism. So, we fought in parallel. Our desire is that Trans Metro Dewata continues to serve the community,” said Niluh Djelantik.
In addition, the Bali Transportation Agency and PT Satria Trans Jaya plan to meet with the Ministry of Transportation on January 6, 2025 to inquire about the progress of the application letter.
The Bali Provincial Government will also take over one of the TMD corridors, as stated in a letter with the number B.00.500.11/61255/setda, signed by the Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, on December 31, 2024.
The Bali Provincial Government proposes that TMD financing be continued by the central government, in the hope of supporting community mobility and tourism in Bali, as well as reducing the use of private vehicles in the Sarbagita area.
Take over in July 2025
According to Detikbali, “The ability to finance corridor 2B by the Bali Provincial Government will start in July 2025 and be gradually taken over in the following year,” Mahendra wrote in a letter to the Ministry of Transportation.
In the letter, the Bali Provincial Government also informed that it had budgeted feeder services for the Sarbagita area (Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan) and formed a regional public service agency to support public transportation financing.
Mahendra Jaya hopes that TMD financing for other corridors in the Sarbagita urban area will continue by the central government.
“Based on this, we hope that urban transportation services with the Buy The Service scheme in other corridors in the Sarbagita urban area will continue to be financed by the central government,” said Mahendra.
Since operating in 2020, TMD buses have been subsidized by the State Budget through the Ministry of Transportation. Currently, PT Satria Trans Jaya employees, including drivers, are still deactivated and continue to receive salaries.
Niluh Djelantik also emphasized that the termination of TMD bus operations will have a negative impact, especially on Bali’s tourism sector, and reminded the Bali Provincial Government to continue to develop supporting facilities and infrastructure if TMD services resume operations.
“Mbok has discussed with the Deputy Minister of Tourism (Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa). In principle, it has been approved by the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub),” he said.
Sources: Detik Travel, Detik Bali.
Image: via Trans Metro Dewata
