The Denpasar City Government has been conducting a trial run of electric shuttle buses in the Sanur area, Denpasar, Bali, since August 1, 2025. During the trial period, the buses are available free of charge for both residents and tourists.
The shuttle buses, painted in red, white, and black, have a seating capacity of nine passengers. Unlike conventional buses, the passenger area features only a roof without side walls, allowing riders to experience open-air travel. This design means passengers are still exposed to sunlight during the day. The driver’s area is more enclosed, resembling a typical car.
Officials have stated that the introduction of these environmentally friendly vehicles aims to help reduce traffic congestion in the popular tourist destination.
Positive Response from Visitors
The electric buses have drawn attention from both locals and foreign visitors. According to on-site observations at Mertasari Beach, many foreign tourists have used the shuttle, with some waiting in line for their turn.
One visitor, Sue Mather, who was accompanied by her husband Bruce Mather, reported that they had ridden the electric bus five times. She said they enjoyed the journey, which typically includes stops at several locations in Sanur such as Sindu Market and Icon Mall before returning to Mertasari Beach.
“We often walk around the Sanur area and when we see this shuttle passing by, we think of taking it. This is something new in Sanur and very good,” said Sue when met at Mertasari Beach, Denpasar, Bali on Monday (11/8/2025).
Bruce Mather expressed that if the shuttle becomes a paid service in the future, he hopes the local government will ensure that tourists have easy access to electronic payment cards.
“I think with the free rate it’s amazing. The only thing I think might worry tourists about is that not everyone has a tap card. But, if we are like those who have tap cards, this is not a problem,” he said.
“So that later tourists will not have difficulty if they want to ride this electric bus. Moreover, this bus can be one of the solutions to reduce congestion,” said Bruce.
Service Coverage and Operations
The Denpasar City Government has prepared a fleet of six electric shuttle buses for the Sanur trial. The service is focused on the Jalan Danau Tamblingan area, a central part of Sanur’s tourist district.
Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara has instructed the Transportation Department to carry out traffic studies, readiness assessments, parking arrangements, and public outreach before full implementation. Designated parking areas will be provided in Sanur, and each will serve as a base for one of the shuttle buses.
“Indeed, we want to prepare parking pockets by preparing shuttle buses that can (accommodate) 10 and a maximum of 14 people as many as six units (buses),” explained Jaya Negara at Graha Sewaka Dharma, Denpasar, Monday (29/7/2024).
The buses will operate along Jalan Danau Tamblingan at intervals of approximately every 10 minutes. This frequency is intended to make the service a convenient option for visitors traveling to restaurants, shops, and other attractions in the area.
The electric shuttle bus program remains in its trial stage, with free rides available to the public. The Denpasar City Government has not yet confirmed when the trial will conclude or when the service might transition to a paid system.
For now, the service continues to operate with regular routes and frequent departures, attracting significant interest from both local residents and international tourists visiting Sanur.
