Integrated public transport system delayed

The Bali provincial administration has postponed realizing an integrated public transportation system linking Denpasar and neighboring cities until the end of 2010 due to technical and management problems.

Head of Bali Transportation Office Made Santha said the administration was studying factors related to the system's management, and the existence of the present public transportation routes and vehicles.

The planned public transportation system was proposed to ease traffic problems in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan regencies. The system was previously scheduled to commence in early 2010.

The system is intended to procure public transportation facilities for residents of the four regencies. The system will be supported by the operation of buses plying 17 routes connecting the four regencies.

Currently, each regency procures public transportation facilities causing ineffective route systems.

Traffic congestion in the four major regencies, top tourist destinations, has been serious.

The rapid growth of population and the flood of foreign and domestic tourists visiting the areas have worsened the traffic problems.

Under the planned system, the Central Government worked with local authorities to provide 25 air-conditioned buses to transport residents as well as tourists to reach their destinations in the four regencies.

Local authorities are currently building bus stations and bus stops at several sites.

"When the projects are completed, we expect that the central government immediately send the promised buses to the province," Santha said.

It is hoped that the operation of the new air-conditioned buses would prevent many people from driving their vehicles, easing traffic jams.