Traffic congestion is still a major problem in Bali, especially in the southern region, which is often heavily trafficked, even around the gates of Ngurah Rai Airport.
In 2023, private vehicles reached 4.83 million units, which contributes greatly to the traffic congestion. The government is also actively looking for effective solutions, considering that Bali is a national tourism icon.
The now-discontinued Trans Metro Dewata have not proven to be fully effective. Widening the road is also difficult due to high costs and the potential for eviction of residents’ settlements.
However, there’s ongoing discussions about infrastructure development and urban spatial planning for another public transportation mode.
Recently, the Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Affairs, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), proposed an alternative that is quite rarely heard, namely water taxis.
Alternative Transportation for Tourists in Bali
According to tirto.id, “So this intermodal is important, land, of course, but we have to focus more on public transportation. Not a private vehicle, but also a water taxi,” said AHY after a coordination meeting with various stakeholders at Novotel I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport
This water taxi will connect tourist destinations such as Canggu and Kuta, as a complement to land transportation.
AHY emphasized that intermodal transportation is very important, and the main focus is public transportation, including water taxis.
He referred to the example of countries that have successfully operated water taxis as a means of transportation connecting airports and tourist destinations, which can help reduce congestion on the road.
Ngurah Rai Airport itself handles 23 to 25 million passengers per year, and congestion around the airport is increasingly felt, especially during peak seasons such as during the new year. In 2024, the number of passengers increased by 12% compared to the previous year, which further exacerbated congestion.
AHY highlighted the importance of better management of flight slots and the use of alternative modes of transportation to overcome this problem. This water taxi initiative is also in line with the goal of making Bali an international tourism hub, with plans to connect Bali with five Super Priority Tourism Destinations.
Bali Transportation Department Examination
In addition, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and the Ministry of Trade are also given the task of supporting the regulation and promotion of water taxis to increase national exports.
Bali Provincial Transportation Agency has welcomed this idea and has begun to study the feasibility of water taxis as an alternative to transportation, especially to reduce the travel time.
Transportation observers also appreciated this idea, assessing the potential of water taxis to reduce congestion, especially in Bali’s fast-growing tourist areas. They propose routes that connect various major tourist attractions, which can reduce travel time compared to land transportation.
“The airport should not intersect with others, so it can be made a tunnel or some kind of point. From that point, later they can be connected by a kind of small train or shuttle, get off at the pier, then cross,” said Rumawan
However, experts also emphasized the importance of feasibility studies and careful planning, especially related to safety, environmental impact, and integration with other modes of transportation.
Some parties also reminded that water taxis must be able to compete with other transportation options, such as the MRT system that is being planned, and must offer competitive prices and more efficient travel times.
The success of this water taxi concept will depend on its ability to provide better time and cost benefits without adding new congestion in tourist destinations.
