Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation is accelerating tourism transport infrastructure in Bali, including plans to launch a water taxi service to improve connectivity and ease congestion. The initiative also includes the development of supporting docks to integrate sea, land, and air transport into a more seamless system.
Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the project aims to become an alternative solution for Bali’s persistent traffic issues. He described the water taxi as a potential “game changer,” particularly in Badung Regency, which often experiences heavy tourist congestion.
According to Dudy, the service will connect Ngurah Rai International Airport with Canggu, two high-mobility areas frequently affected by traffic bottlenecks. He noted that road travel between the two locations can take between one to two hours.
“Meanwhile, using a water taxi is expected to take a maximum of 30 minutes,” Dudy said.
State-owned ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is currently preparing the project’s Detail Engineering Design (DED), marking the initial phase before construction begins. If the timeline proceeds as planned, physical development is scheduled to start in August 2026 and continue through July 2027.
The government expects the project to enhance tourism mobility while reducing reliance on road transport. At the same time, it aims to improve the overall travel experience for visitors by offering faster and more efficient access to key destinations.
