Bali Province, Badung Regency and KAI Plan Battery-Powered Tram Linking Airport and Canggu

On September 1, 2026, at Kertasabha Building in Denpasar, Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Badung Regency officials, and PT KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin signed an MoU to develop a battery-powered electric tram connecting Ngurah Rai International Airport to the Canggu tourism area.

Unlike conventional rail, LRT, or MRT systems, the project will use battery-based tram technology that does not require overhead catenary wires, intended to preserve Bali's landscape and cultural harmony. The tram track will be about 3 meters wide, with vehicles roughly 2 meters in size—more compact than a city bus.

The initial phase covers approximately 12 kilometers from the airport to Canggu in Badung Regency, with dual tracks and crossing sections. Travel time is projected at about 30 minutes, with departures every 10 minutes. Capacity is expected to reach 15,000–20,000 passengers per trip, or up to 60,000 passengers per day at peak times. This corridor currently sees around 150,000 daily person-trips and 80,000 vehicles, and the tram is expected to absorb up to 40% of current traffic congestion.

Governor Koster stressed that construction must not disrupt hotels, residential areas, or local community activities, and that the tram itself should become a new tourist attraction rather than a disruption.

Next steps include technical studies, environmental impact assessments (AMDAL), and consultations with local communities and customary villages. Groundbreaking is targeted for March 2027, with partial operations beginning in 2028 and full commercial operation of the entire Airport–Canggu line planned for 2029.