A massive protest, involving thousands of drivers from across Bali, was organized against online taxi services. According to private taxi drivers, platforms like GoJek and Grab disrupt the local tourism transport ecosystem on the Island of Gods.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Bali Regional House of Representatives on Kusuma Anmaja Street. This protest is part of an ongoing, long-standing conflict between online ride-hailing drivers and traditional taxi operators. Local drivers have frequently intimidated, attacked, and harassed online taxi drivers, accusing them of violating Bali’s unwritten rules and depriving local communities of income. The reason is clear: online services offer fixed, predictable fares that are generally much lower than what private taxi drivers charge.
Previously, a luxury hotel in Seminyak had made an agreement with local taxi drivers to allow online ride-hailing services to pick up guests from its premises. This decision further fueled tensions between the two groups.
Key Demands of the Protesters:
1. Quota restrictions on online taxis in Bali to protect local drivers.
2. Regulation and restructuring of vehicle and motorcycle rental services.
3. Standardized pricing for transportation rentals to prevent fare undercutting that harms drivers.
4. Restrictions on non-Balinese drivers, requiring local ID cards to prioritize Balinese drivers.
5. Mandatory Bali license plates (DK) and clear identification for tourist transport vehicles.
6. Regulation of tourist transport services outside Bali, such as in Gianyar and surrounding areas, to maintain service quality.
The protest began with a large-scale march. Angry drivers held banners with slogans like “Fighting for a Better Bali” and “We Demand Regulation of Greedy Online Taxi Services!” The demonstration took place under heavy security, with hundreds of police officers present.
One of the protest coordinators, Gustu Kompyang, stated that Bali’s tourism drivers feel increasingly marginalized due to the worsening conditions in the transport sector.
“We organized this protest to demand justice from the government because Bali’s tourism industry, especially the transport sector, is facing a difficult situation,” he said.
Taxi drivers argue that the number of online ride-hailing services and their drivers in Bali continues to grow, worsening traffic congestion. In their view, this affects not only tourists’ comfort but also the daily lives of Balinese residents.
Protesters also demanded that the government reorganize and regulate online ride-hailing providers, citing a lack of oversight as a major issue. In addition to addressing concerns about fake or duplicate vehicle registrations and unclear driver identities, they also called for standardized fare rates and service regulations, especially in Bali’s key tourist zones.
Another major concern for local drivers is the influx of non-Balinese drivers from other regions of Indonesia seeking higher earnings in Bali. Traditional taxi operators argue that they pay local taxes, which contribute to infrastructure maintenance, while outside drivers benefit from these roads without contributing financially. Protesters proposed restricting these non-local drivers.
“This protest is about fighting for the rights of Bali’s tourism drivers, who feel increasingly sidelined in an increasingly chaotic transport system,” Kompyang added.
For travelers in Bali, this conflict boils down to one thing: private local taxi drivers want higher fares and aim to achieve this by limiting online services like Grab and GoJek. If the government enforces the restrictions sought by private taxi operators, tourists can expect fewer ride-hailing options and higher transport costs.
Sources: denpost, balipolotika
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