Busman's Holiday in Bali Trans-Sarbagita Bus System Commences Op

Bali News: Busman’s Holiday in Bali

(8/20/2011)

The Bali provincial Department of Transportation, Information and Communication have formally launched the long-delayed Trans-Sarbagita Mass Transit Bus System connecting Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan.

The busses began operating on Wednesday evening, August 17, 2011 after Bali’s governor, Made Mangku Pastika, christened the busses by breaking a traditional water vessel (kendi) in front of the Governor’s office. The governor and his official party then boarded a bus for short bus ride around administrative district of Renon.

On the occasion, the head of the Transportation, Information and Communications Deparment for Bali, Made Santha, issued assurances the Trans-Sarbagita Bus System will not add to traffic congestion, a fear voiced by in Bali.

Santha said, “the busses with 40 seats will only travel on main roads on the Ngurah Rai Bypass highway.” He further explained that the feeder buses that will connect neighborhoods to the new bus system will be smaller vehicles carrying only 20 passengers.”

The driver of the new buses will break with tradition and will not be paid on a “passenger target” basis, receiving the same wages whether or not their bus travel full or empty. This policy is designed to ensure busses stay to their schedule during both peak and off-peak periods.

The tariff of Rp. 3,500 (US$0.40) for adults and Rp. 2,500 (US$29.00) for students will initially operate via a manual ticket system operated by on-board conductors. In 2012 the government plans to introduce a Smart Card system.

Source : Bali Discovery