As a world’s tourist destination, Bali really needs an eco-friendly program, so that it can create clean and healthy tourism. To make this happen, the Governor of Bali, Dr. I Wayan Koster, launched (flag off) and piloted the operation of the National Tourism Strategic Area Transport (KSPN) in Bali Province and Electric Shuttle Bus Transportation in the Denpasar City Area. The launching was marked with a flag waving at Jaya Sabha Building, Denpasar, on Friday (Nov. 6).

Governor Koster stated that the program is an implementation of the Bali Provincial Government program, namely the Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali which maintains the sanctity and harmony of Bali’s nature and its contents to create a prosperous and happy Balinese resident. This is also in accordance with Bung Karno’s Trisakti principles, namely politically sovereign, economically independent and having a personality in culture. “One of the implemented policies of the Nangun Sad Kerthi Loka Bali is to maintain the sanctity of Bali’s nature. If the nature of Bali is clean, Balinese people will be of quality and the culture is well preserved,” he said.

One of the supporters of clean nature is electric vehicles and household appliances in creating eco-friendly condition. “The tourist areas of Kuta, Sanur and Ubud must be designed to provide clean and eco-friendly transportation. By using buses and motorbikes with electric batteries, they will not pollute the air. Then, Bali is really cool, clean and the agricultural water is clean. All foods entering the body must be clean, so logically people are healthier and have a longer life,” he said.

Head of Bali Transportation Agency, IGW Samsi Gunarta, stated that launching and testing the operation of KSPN transportation and electric shuttle bus services operate in the Bali Renon Provincial Government to the Jalan Supratman, the Indonesia Institute of the Arts, Warmadewa University and then return to the Renon Civic Center.

This is a test for the community that, in the future, they will actually provide electric bus services in Bali. This electric bus is a manifestation of support for the Bali Gubernatorial Regulation No. 45/2019 regarding Bali Clean Energy in order to achieve one of the visions and missions of the Bali Provincial Government to develop Balinese people, organize areas as well as a green, beautiful and clean environment.

This collaboration is a form of implementation of the Bali Gubernatorial Regulation No. 48/2019 concerning the Use of Battery-based Electric Motorized Vehicles to support government programs for energy efficiency and pollution reduction in the transportation sector. “This electric bus has the advantage of not making noise when operating, and there is no residue in the form of smoke or exhaust gases that cause pollution,” he said.

The KSPN bus trial was carried out on November 6, 2020 and during the trial period, this mass transportation mode will be served by 12 buses with 5 tourism routes, including; Route 1: Ngurah Rai Airport – Central Park Kuta – Ubung – Mengwi – Bedugul – Singaraja; Route 2: Ngurah Rai Airport – Sanur – Ubud – Kintamani – Singaraja; Route 3: Singaraja – Menjangan – West Bali National Park; Route 4: Ngurah Rai Airport – Goa Lawah – Padangbai – Manggis – Amuk –Amed; and Route 5: Ngurah Rai Airport – Sanur – Klungkung – Besakih.

President Director of PPD, Pande Putu Yasa, stated that the reality seen in Bali is that the Gubernatorial Regulation first appeared due to the electric bus policy. This is the first time to conduct a trial in line with the gubernatorial policy to implement clean air in Bali. After the trial for two months, the results are reported and evaluated. The KSPN buses are expected to support the government’s program in restoring and improving tourism in Bali Province and the economy in Bali Province again.

In addition, the provision of this service proves the consistency of PPD in the context of reducing air pollution caused by the use of private transportation as well as an alternative choice for local and foreign tourists that come to Bali for using public transportation to travel. “This collaboration aims to boost the economy of Bali by providing more efficient mass transportation services with easier and cheaper access,” he concluded. (BTN/015)