Trans Metro Dewata (TMD) buses, known as 'red buses', have fully resumed operations in Bali. Their official relaunch took place on April 18 with support from the Bali provincial government and local administrations as part of a joint financing scheme.
The TMD project now covers six routes that connect key points on the island, from tourist areas to educational institutions and the airport. Seventy-five buses have been prepared to serve these routes, with 69 operating daily and six in reserve.
The six TMD routes include:
- Central Parking in Kuta – Pesiaipan Terminal,
- Ubung Terminal – Ngurah Rai Airport,
- Ubung Terminal – Sanur,
- Ubung Terminal – Parking near the Monkey Forest in Ubud,
- Central Parking in Kuta – Udayana Polytechnic College,
- Central Parking in Kuta – Nusa Dua.
The red buses provide convenient connections between key areas of Bali, including Kuta, Sanur, and Jimbaran. For instance, one of the popular routes is Corridor 5 (K5), which runs from the Central Parking in Kuta to the Bali State Polytechnic College (PNB) and back via Sanur.
Traveling by public transport in Bali has become even easier and more comfortable with the Trans Metro Dewata app. Using it, you can:
- Check bus routes and timetables in real-time.
- Find the nearest bus stop from your location.
- Track the bus movement directly on the map.
- Check bus routes and timetables in real-time.
- Find the nearest bus stop from your location.
- Track the bus movement directly on the map.
The app can be easily downloaded for both iPhones and Android devices. You can view the red bus route map here.
The total budget for operating the system in 2025 amounts to 49.7 billion rupiah. The contributions are distributed as follows: 15 billion from the provincial government of Bali, 14 billion from the city of Denpasar, 16 billion from Badung district, and 4.7 billion from Gianyar district. Tabanan district was exempt from funding due to limited budget.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster emphasized that TMD is a social project rather than a commercial enterprise. 'We are not calculating potential profit. Our goal is to provide accessible transport for the community,' Koster stated during the launch ceremony.
However, the governor does not hide that the current bus occupancy is lower than expected. He instructed the transport department to assess the routes and develop additional measures to attract more passengers.
Head of the Bali Transport Department I Gede Wayan Samsi Gunarta reported that bus operations will be regulated to ensure maximum efficiency. In the morning, intervals between trips will average 10–16 minutes, and in the daytime up to 18 minutes.
Prior to the TMD launch, two days of trial runs were conducted — on April 18 and 19 — after a four-month hiatus in operations. The system was halted on January 1, 2025, after centralized funding was cut. However, under public pressure, including from Udayana University students, and as a result of a petition with more than 25,000 signatures, the decision was made to resume operations.
The TMD project was initially launched in 2020 as a central government initiative. From 2025, its funding has officially passed to regional authorities.
Authorities plan to enhance public awareness of TMD bus operations. The information campaign involves the Bali provincial government and police representatives. All this aims to attract more residents and tourists to use public transport.
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