Prabowo Pushes Over Rp 2 Trillion Bali Railway Network to Tackle Island Gridlock

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto has instructed state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia to begin building a mass rail transit network across Bali, seeking to unlock chronic traffic bottlenecks in Indonesia's premier tourism destination while creating a flagship symbol of national infrastructure.

The directive came during a high-level meeting at Merdeka Palace on Thursday, where President Prabowo summoned PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) President Director Bobby Rasyidin to review major transit and public facility overhauls spanning Jakarta and Bali.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that establishing rail connectivity across the resort island was among the president's foremost instructions.

“In the meeting, the President provided several directives regarding the revitalization of the Monas area and the development of railway services in Bali,” Cabinet Secretary Teddy said in an official statement.

Connecting the Tourism Spine

Under the initial development phase, the railway network is designed to link I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport directly with Bali's busiest coastal tourism hubs and extend toward the island's northern corridors.

“In the initial phase, the line is planned to connect I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with several tourist destinations, ranging from Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, all the way to Canggu, as well as areas in the northern region,” Teddy said.

Rapid visitor growth along southern Bali’s narrow road networks has created severe vehicular gridlock in recent years, prompting calls from local authorities and travel operators for dedicated grade-separated or dedicated-guideway public transport.

Tripartite Agreement and Modality Review

The rollout follows an official tripartite agreement signed on Sept. 1, 2026, between PT KAI, the Bali Provincial Government, and the Badung Regency Government to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies and spearhead rail development across the island.

To jumpstart implementation, the central government has set aside an initial development budget exceeding Rp 2 trillion, backed by strong presidential momentum to expedite construction.

Technical teams from the central government, KAI, and provincial planners are currently evaluating multiple transit modalities. Options on the table include electric tram systems, conventional light rail transit (LRT), and rubber-tired Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) sets.

Teddy emphasized that the administration views the Bali rail network as a transformative public utility that must set a new benchmark for domestic infrastructure.

“The President hopes that the revitalization of the Monas area, Gambir Station, the construction of the Grand Museum, as well as the development of railway services in Bali will not only deliver better public facilities, but also become a source of nation pride,” Teddy said.