The Kintamani area in Bali is gaining popularity among tourists. The island authorities are looking for ways to make trips to this remote area easier.
Unlike the resorts in the southern part of Bali, Kintamani is located in the central part of the island. The Bangli transport service has proposed adding new bus routes to Kintamani to make it more convenient for tourists to reach.
The Damri bus service already operates in the Bangli district but currently does not offer convenient routes. The head of the Bangli Transport Service, Sang Putu Surattha, said that Damri currently operates five routes connecting Bangli with Songan, Catur, Tejakula, Metro-Suter, and Trunyan.
Surattha mentioned that a new Damri bus route is planned to connect Kintamani with Ubud via Payangan and Gianyar.
"We are preparing for a meeting in October where we will propose this route to the ministry," he said. This bus route will help reduce traffic congestion in both Ubud and Kintamani.
As public transport is nearly nonexistent, travelers who want to visit Kintamani hire private drivers. Hundreds of tourists travel daily from Ubud and southern Bali resorts to Kintamani, causing traffic jams in the area. However, it is doubtful that tourists will switch from private cars to public transport, as it is not popular in Bali.
In southern Bali, traffic jams are also being tackled by building new roads. Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno announced the construction of a new toll road connecting southern Bali resorts with northern regions. This project has been approved by the central government, and the construction tender will be held in 2025.
These works will temporarily worsen the traffic situation in the Kuta and Jimbaran areas and on the Ngurah Rai Bypass and Labuan Sait roads. Travelers are advised to plan their trips in advance and account for delays in the Bukit Peninsula area starting in September.
Sources: nusabali.com, bali.tribunnews.com
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