The number of motorised vehicles in Bali has grown five times faster than the island’s population over the past decade, with registered vehicles now exceeding the total number of residents, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia.
Based on 2024 data, Bali recorded 5,227,554 registered motorised vehicles, while the island’s population stood at around 4.4 million. The figures suggest that vehicle ownership has continued to rise significantly despite relatively modest population growth.
WRI Indonesia said the trend highlights an increasing dependence on private transport and raises concerns over the limited development of public transportation across the province.
Vehicle Growth Continues to Outpace Population
Speaking during a discussion with the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) Bali in Denpasar on Friday (31 July 2026), WRI Indonesia representative Ngurah Termana said Bali’s vehicle growth has consistently exceeded population growth over the past decade.
“Bali’s population growth averaged 1 per cent per year from 2010 to 2020. However, vehicle growth has averaged 5 per cent per year over the past 10 years,” Ngurah said, as quoted from DetikBali.
“This means that vehicles are increasing faster than the number of people, indicating that one person could own two vehicles,” he continued.
According to WRI’s estimates, the number of vehicles in Bali reached around 5 million by 2024, surpassing the island’s population. The organisation believes the figures demonstrate the increasing reliance on private vehicles as public transport services remain limited.
Ngurah said the growth in vehicle ownership has not been matched by improvements in public transportation, resulting in continued dependence on motorcycles and cars for daily travel.
Public Transport Coverage and Funding Remain Limited
WRI Indonesia also questioned the commitment of regional governments in Bali to developing public transport, arguing that funding allocated through regional budgets remains insufficient.
According to Ngurah, public transport in Bali receives only around 10 per cent of development funding, which is integrated into broader road infrastructure improvements and supported by revenue from motor vehicle taxes.
He noted that Bali lags behind several other Indonesian regions, including Batam, Pekanbaru and Semarang, in terms of budget allocation for public transport management.
At present, public transport services cover only around 10 per cent of the Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan and Gianyar (Sarbagita) area. WRI attributes the limited coverage to slow route expansion and a shortage of supporting infrastructure, including bus stops and vehicle fleets.
“Therefore, the public transportation budget should not be reduced so that public transportation can remain a reliable mobility option,” Ngurah said.
He added that concerns over funding have grown following plans by the Denpasar City Government to reduce the subsidy for the Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) bus service by as much as 50%.
The TMD service currently operates under a joint funding scheme involving the Bali Provincial Government and local administrations across the Sarbagita region. WRI warned that reducing financial support could further limit the development of public transport at a time when private vehicle ownership continues to increase faster than the island’s population.
The organisation said greater investment in routes, fleets and supporting facilities would be necessary if public transport is to become a practical and dependable alternative for residents across Bali.
Cover: Photo by Mahmud Ahsan_Unsplash
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