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Bali train plans gaining steam
Bali's governor Made Mangku Pastika views plans to build a slow rail system to circumnavigate the island as much more than a solution to alleviate traffic congestion, but also as an important asset for the island's tourism in its own right.
Speaking to Kompas.com, Pastika shared his vision on how the rail system would follow Bali's shore line offering a memorable travel experience for passengers. Speaking to the press in Jakarta, the governor explained: "For instance, from Denpasar to Gilamanuk, there will be sea views to the left and mountains to the right. The vistas will be extraordinary."
He added that he was certain that tourism packers by rail in Bali would be very saleable. One day tours of Bali for sale by travel agents in Bali would be created once the trains is in operation. "The train will stop at selected points where there are local tourism sites and attractions," added the governor.
Addressing the land needed to create the round-Bali rail system, Pastika said the present roadway easements could be used, removing the requirement to undertake the costly and time-consuming acquisition of additional land for the rail system. "The aspect of land acquisition is not significant," he said.
Governor Pastika also told the press that the proposed rail system was receiving widespread public support form the Balinese who saw it as a means to solve traffic jams and achieve a more equitable distribution of tourism to all parts of the island. He said this was particularly the case in north Bali which to date has not been able to join in the intense tourism development to the south.
Plans put forth by the government call for an inter-modular system that will connect Bali's airport, sea ports, buss stations and tourism objects. The entire system will have tracks covering 565 kilometers circling the entire island and is scheduled to commence operations in 2015.
Bali News: Governor Says Bali's on the Right Track
I read elsewhere that he intends this for tourists only, and does not see it as a way for locals to get about. Seems crazy to me, railways are expensive, so why not plan to get the greatest possible use out of it. The Surabaya to Banyuwangi line has Executuve class trains and cheaper class trains sharing the same line - why not in Bali too?
If you look at how long its taken to build the bypass extension to Karangasem then you have some idea about how much our grandchildren will enjoy hearing about the planned completion of the Round Bali Rail Project at some distant future time...
Also interesting to note that the land will be "no problem" does this mean he plans to use the land where the road is now?
That will be fun during the endless build - glad they're planning on heading west first. That means we will all be just a fond memory by the time it gets to the east of the island.
You would think Jakarta would have the highest priority for getting improved public transport. If they were serious, you would think a Denpasar-Singaraja route or Denpasar-Gilimanuk route would make the most sense.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.
Agree.
A circuminsular railway would cost well more than the expected $800mln, as the rugged north ans east steep coast require lots of tunnels.
Gilimanuk-Denpasar-Padangbai (harbor) should be the most feasible, not only for tourists but also for cargo and locals to relieve the jammed roads.
And then branches to Kuta-Ngurah Rai-Jimbaran which makes a train ride possible between the airport and most tourist hotel locations.
In a later stage a (boat)connection to East Java which allows direct (except the boat trip) train connection between (Yog-)Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali.
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