Eyewitness News – DENPASAR
1, September 2026
The Bali Provincial Government, Badung Regency, and state rail operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday to develop a battery-powered tram system connecting I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to the popular tourist hub of Canggu.
Designed specifically to suit Bali’s unique cultural identity and landscape, the quiet, compact tram will span 12 kilometers across a double-track route.
Unlike conventional light rail, the system relies on battery technology, eliminating the need for overhead electrical wires. The initiative addresses severe traffic gridlock along the heavily traveled corridor, which sees roughly 150,000 travelers and 80,000 vehicles daily.
With a width slightly over two meters—smaller than a standard city bus—the tram will travel the route in approximately 30 minutes with 10-minute departure intervals. Operating at peak efficiency, the network is projected to transport up to 60,000 passengers per day, absorbing nearly 40 percent of the corridor’s daily commuter volume.
“Transportation development must maintain Bali’s identity, culture, and natural harmony without disturbing the local tourism ecosystem,” said Bali Governor Wayan Koster, emphasizing that the tram will serve as both a mobility solution and a new tourist attraction. PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin echoed this sentiment, stating that preserving local heritage and environmental integrity remains central to the project’s engineering plans.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2027. The first phase is expected to open in 2028, with the complete line to Canggu fully operational by 2029 following technical studies, environmental reviews, and public consultations with local traditional villages (desa adat) and tourism stakeholders.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
