PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Public transportation in the Greater Bandung area has officially entered a new era. This was marked by the groundbreaking ceremony for the Indonesia Mass Transit Project (Mastran) infrastructure development and the signing of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement for mass transit services in the Bandung Basin area.

Through this program, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-based mass transportation system is targeted to be fully operational in 2027.

This system will be supported by a modern transportation network that includes special lanes, hundreds of bus stops, depots, and an intelligent transportation system ( Intelligent Transportation System ).

The inauguration ceremony which took place at the Leuwipanjang Terminal Area, Bandung City, Wednesday (22/7/2026) was attended directly by the Governor of West Java Dedi Mulyadi, the Minister of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia Dudy Purwagandhi, the Director General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Aan Suhanan, as well as the regents and mayors of Greater Bandung.

KDM -- Dedi Mulyadi's nickname -- emphasized that the public currently really needs public transportation services that are not only integrated but also equitable.

"This is a joy for the people of Greater Bandung. We hope the construction will proceed safely, smoothly, without disruption, and deliver high-quality infrastructure," said KDM.

KDM added that public transportation has now become a basic necessity for metropolitan residents. "We are entering a new era. Modern transportation is not just about speed, but also about excellent service, digitalization, and interconnectedness," he added.

In line with the presence of new infrastructure, KDM is encouraging changes in public transportation user behavior to be more orderly. Awareness of maintaining public facilities, disposing of trash properly, and maintaining etiquette in public spaces are crucial.

The government needs to provide excellent services to ensure passenger safety and comfort, including the availability of sanitary facilities, proper sidewalks, adequate street lighting, and additional security measures.

"Because the higher public transportation traffic, if not balanced by the availability of strong security, will (potentially) increase crime," he continued.

Furthermore, KDM reminded that improvements to the transportation system in metropolitan areas must be directly proportional to the growth of the people's economy and equitable development across all corners of the region.

"West Java must be fair. Big cities are growing, but villages must also experience development. Basic infrastructure must reach all levels of society," he stressed.

Long-Term Solutions to Overcome Traffic Congestion

On the same occasion, Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi explained that the Bandung Basin Area has a very high level of mobility and economic activity.

Unfortunately, this is often accompanied by congestion problems that harm productivity, increase logistics costs, and reduce environmental quality.

Therefore, the government is presenting the Indonesia Mass Transit Project as a long-term solution to organize public movement more efficiently.

"Today's groundbreaking marks a milestone in realizing modern public transportation. We want to provide comfortable, safe, timely, affordable, and integrated public transportation, making it the primary mobility option for the public," said Dudy.

He explained that BRT will become the backbone of mobility that is directly connected to trains and feeder transportation.

The signing of the PSO also ensures the continuity of service operations at affordable rates for all groups.

Bandung Basin BRT Project Details

The Director General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Aan Suhanan, said that the Bandung Basin BRT program is supported by funding from the Indonesian Government, the World Bank, and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The Mastran project has a national investment value of USD 264 million (approximately IDR 3.8 trillion). Specifically, for the development of BRT infrastructure in the Bandung Basin, a total investment of IDR 1.3 trillion has been allocated, which includes:

- Construction of 21 kilometers of dedicated BRT lanes.
- Construction of 6 main BRT depots.
- Construction of 719 off-corridor stops and 34 on-corridor stops.
- Implementation of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to support service integration.

Aan explained that the first phase of construction focused on off-corridor stops, Cicaheum Depot, Leuwipanjang Depot, and the main BRT route.

The next phase will target the construction of iconic bus stops in Tegalega, Bandung Square, Hall Station, Kiara Artha Park, as well as additional depots in Cimenyan, Padalarang, Soreang, and Majalaya.

In the future, the BRT system is targeted to have a maximum waiting time ( headway ) of 7 minutes during peak hours and 15 minutes outside peak hours.

"We are optimistic that all work can be completed on target, so that the people of Greater Bandung can soon enjoy efficient, reliable, and sustainable public transportation," Aan concluded. *pim

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar