After operations ceased on 1 January 2025, the Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) Bus, also known as the red bus, is expected to return to the roads on 18 April 2025.
The Bali Province Transportation Agency (Dishub) has given the green light for the return of the TMD buses to Bali’s roads. A total of 75 buses will be deployed, down from the 105 units operated the previous year.
“We are expediting the process. Hopefully, by the 18th (of April), it will be feasible. We will reopen all six corridors. The last route began operating in August 2024 and is already well-established,” said the Head of the Bali Transportation Agency, I Gde Wayan Samsi Gunarta, on Thursday, 10 April 2025, as quoted by Tirto.
The operation of the so-called ‘Tayo’ bus will involve 75 fleets across six corridors. Dishub Bali plans to increase the number of buses if passenger demand rises.
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The corridors span four regions in Bali Province—Denpasar City, Badung Regency, Gianyar Regency, and Tabanan Regency. Corridor 1 will operate from Kuta Parking Centre to Tabanan Terminal Pesiapan (round trip), while Corridor 2 will serve from Ubung Terminal to Ngurah Rai Airport.
Corridor 3 connects Terminal Ubung to Sanur (round trip), Corridor 4 links Terminal Ubung to the Monkey Forest Parking Lot (round trip), and Corridor 5 runs from Kuta Parking Lot to Bali State Polytechnic and to Titi Banda (round trip).
Lastly, Corridor 6 will serve the Kuta Central Parking Lot to the Airport and to Nusa Dua Central Parking Lot (round trip).
Operational hours will also be adjusted. Morning and afternoon services will be intensified, while midday services will be reduced.
Alongside this, Dishub Bali will update the Trans Metro Dewata bus application. According to Samsi, this update requires adequate time and preparation to ensure a smooth relaunch of the service.
“All of this is for the benefit of the community, particularly to reduce the reliance on private vehicles. We want to encourage bus usage. In fact, we will urge provincial employees to organise themselves to ensure they all have the app ready to use the bus,” said Samsi.
Bali Receives 10 Electric Buses from South Korea
Meanwhile, the Bali Provincial Government has recently received a grant of ten electric bus units from South Korea.
The total grant, valued at IDR 75 billion, includes Hyundai County Electric Vehicles (eight metres long) and a complete charging system. Each bus can accommodate 30 passengers and is expected to begin operating in early 2026, following adaptation to Bali’s road conditions.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster, speaking in Denpasar on Thursday, said the grant represents South Korea’s appreciation for Bali’s proactive stance on environmentally friendly policies.
“Bali is recognised as a province implementing eco-conscious policies, especially following the issuance of Bali Governor Regulation Number 45 of 2019 on clean energy, and Regulation Number 48 of 2019 on the use of battery-based electric motor vehicles,” he said.
At the handover ceremony, South Korea’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Lee Byung-hwa, brought one 12-metre electric bus unit. The remaining units will follow and be customised to suit local road conditions.
The two-term governor also noted that South Korea is not only providing the buses but also the necessary charging equipment. The red, white, and black-coloured buses are valued at IDR 75 billion in total.
cover: piesusudhian.net
