Antara, Jakarta – President Director of state railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Bobby Rasyidin, presented the development plan for Bali's mass transit rail network directly to President Prabowo Subianto during a meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Bobby stated that the proposal was one of two core issues discussed with the President, alongside efforts to accelerate the revitalization of Gambir Station, which will be integrated directly with the National Monument (Monas) area.
"We presented the Bali train development program. The first phase of the Bali train service will run from Ngurah Rai Airport to northern [Bali] Kuta, Legian, then Seminyak, and finally to Canggu," Bobby said following the meeting.
He explained that the railway infrastructure development plan is divided into two construction phases, with the initial route connecting I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Legian, and the second extending from Legian to Canggu.
Bobby noted that completing construction across both phases is expected to take approximately two years.
"The Bali train, or Bali tram, is structured in two stages: phase one runs from Ngurah Rai to Legian, and phase two continues from Legian to Canggu. It will take two years," he said.
In addition to outlining the route, Bobby disclosed that the government and KAI have allocated approximately Rp2 trillion for the Bali train project. "We have reported that the budget for the Bali train is around two trillion rupiah," he said.
During the meeting, Bobby also discussed the acceleration of the Gambir Station revitalization program in Jakarta, aiming to create a seamless, integrated space between Monas Park and the station.
According to him, the budget allocated for the Gambir Station revitalization project will also reach approximately Rp2 trillion, with completion targeted for 2028.
The Gambir Station revitalization will focus on expanding multimodal connectivity, including linking the eastern corridor of the Gambir area directly with the Jakarta MRT network in the western corridor.
Meanwhile, the Bali Provincial Government, together with the Badung Regency Government and KAI, had previously signed a formal cooperation agreement to build the battery-powered electric tram system from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu.
"Tourist comfort must be maintained, and the tram is expected to serve as a new icon for Balinese tourism," Bali Governor Wayan Koster said following the signing ceremony in Denpasar on Tuesday, September 1.
Koster highlighted that the signing, attended by the Regent of Badung, the KAI President Director, the CEO of state airport operator Angkasa Pura, and the Badung Regional Secretary, marked concrete progress on initial proposals put forward by the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the Bali Provincial Government.
The battery-operated tram line is viewed as a practical remedy for chronic gridlock along the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport-Canggu corridor, which sees daily traffic flows reaching up to 150,000 commuters and 80,000 vehicles.
He reassured the public that while designed to boost tourism, the 12-kilometer electric tram corridor will carefully integrate with existing hotel networks, commercial accommodation, tourist sites, surrounding ecosystems, residential zones, and local livelihoods.
Governor Koster emphasized that new infrastructure development must not compromise Bali's delicate ecological balance. "Transportation development must continue to respect Bali's cultural identity, preserve its natural beauty, support tourism, and avoid disrupting community life," he stressed.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2123114/how-indonesias-kai-plans-to-build-the-bali-tra