The Bali government is set to introduce new regulations aimed at protecting the incomes of local taxi drivers. The need for these changes became evident after members of Balis taxi driver community staged a large-scale protest against online ride-hailing services in Denpasar on January 5, 2025.
The demonstrators called on the government to limit the number of online taxis (including both cars and motorbikes) allowed to operate on the island. They also demanded stricter rules on vehicle rentals for tourists and the establishment of standardized taxi fares.
Additionally, the protesters proposed that ride-hailing services be allowed to hire only local Balinese drivers with Bali-issued licenses and that all tourist taxis should have DK (Denpasar) license plates. Independent drivers also pushed for qualification standards for those coming from other regions to work in Bali. They argued that non-Balinese drivers frequently violate regulations and damage the reputation of local taxi operators.
Local taxi groups have long complained that ride-hailing drivers operate with license plates registered outside Bali, leading to traffic congestion due to careless passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, drivers sleeping in parking lots, and, most critically, violations of restricted zones (areas marked with special signs where only local taxis are allowed to pick up passengers).
Grabs Eastern Indonesia Director, Halim Wijaya, emphasized the companies commitment to complying with regional regulations. “We support local government policies aimed at improving the well-being of Balinese residents. Grab always adheres to existing regulations in all regions, including Bali,” he stated.
According to Bali Governor Regulation No. 40 of 2019, drivers registered with Special Rental Transportation (ASK) must comply with specific legal provisions, including Article 7, which requires them to have proof of residency in Bali (a form of temporary registration).
To further protect local interests, these regulations have now been tightened. Under the revised policy:
Only local Balinese residents (those with Bali-issued ID cards) can become Grab partners.
All vehicles must have Bali-registered DK license plates.
GoJek has also expressed support for these initiatives and aims to assist local drivers. Both Grab and GoJek currently provide thousands of Balinese people with job opportunities.
Impact on Tourists
For tourists, these changes are unlikely to have a major impact. However, the new regulations could help ease tensions between local taxi drivers and ride-hailing operators, a conflict that often inadvertently affected visitors.
Sources: bali.antaranews.comnusabali.com
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