T

he Bali provincial administration has issued 180 operation permits for two taxi operators, Bluebird and Ngurah Rai Taxi.

"Bali has been undergoing rapid development and we need representative transportation," Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said.

Around 100 new permits were guaranteed for Bluebird and the remaining 80 for Ngurah Rai taxi.

Bluebird is currently operating 400 taxis, while Ngurah Rai is operating 200 taxis.

"Many tourists have lodged complaints about the poor public transportation in Bali," he said.

"We have to improve any facility that supports our tourism industry. Transportation plays a significant role in boosting tourism."

He urged taxi operators to improve their fleets by renewing their cars and upgrading their services.

"These new permits are meant to increase the quality of our transportation services both to domestic and foreign clients."

Yus Suhartana, deputy chairman of the Bali chapter of the Association of Public Transport Operators, complained the new taxi permits would challenge current taxi drivers.

"Today, we are facing tight competition since the number of taxi passengers in Bali is still limited to foreign or domestic travelers."

Only a few local residents use this transportation mode, preferring to ride their own motor cycles.

"It is very hard for us to meet the operational costs because the market is so small," he added.

Local taxi operators have protested the governor's decision.

"Sometimes we do not have a single passenger," complained a taxi driver who waited in front Denpasar's Ramayana Department store.

"The governor did not involve the association in issuing the permit," Suhartana added.

He was concerned Bali's crowded streets would be flooded by taxis.

Pastika, however, denied that he did not think about the further consequences of his policy.