PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government has prepared a budget of IDR 56 billion to support the operation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme.

The budget has not been paid because the Bandung City Government is waiting for an agreement on the mechanism and amount of contributions from regional governments participating in the service.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan explained that the Bandung City Government is still waiting for the BRT management's bill to be calculated before disbursing the budget.

"We've already budgeted for it, but it's still being held back. We want to know the mutual agreement first. What the calculations are," said Farhan at Bandung City Hall on August 24, 2026.

BRT services have been running since August 1, 2026 via Metro Jabar Trans (MJT) and feeder services on a number of routes.

"Since August 1st, according to BRT, BRT operations have been running from August 1st to August 31st, in the form of Metro Jabar Trans and feeder operations," he said.

The PSO bill is estimated to be issued on September 1–5, 2026, after the management completes the calculation of service operational costs.

The Bandung City Government will discuss the bill with the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) and relevant local governments.

Six regional governments are involved in the financing, namely the West Java Provincial Government, Bandung City, Cimahi City, West Bandung Regency, Bandung Regency, and Sumedang Regency.

"We have about 10 days to ensure that all the bills, the reconciliation of the figures, are reasonable and acceptable to everyone," he said.

PSO is used to finance the operational needs of public transportation, including driver salaries, fuel, maintenance, procurement, and other needs.

"PSO is operational, with various subsidies. So, each of us contributes to operational subsidies. Driver salaries, fuel, maintenance, procurement, and so on," said Farhan.

The Bandung City Government has prepared a budget of around Rp49 billion to Rp56 billion, but the final payment amount is still awaiting reconciliation.

"Not yet. It's just in my pocket. It's not bad, Rp. 49 to Rp. 56 billion," he said.

Farhan said that BRT financing needs to take into account the impact of development on the activities of residents and business actors in Bandung City.

"Because of this development alone, we've created many problems, and they haven't been resolved yet. Parking relocation, addressing the impact on street vendors, and so on are also still unfinished," he said.

The Bandung City Government will include this issue in discussions to ensure BRT services run in line with the resolution of development impacts.

The PSO requirement for BRT is estimated to reach IDR 200 billion per year, with the City of Bandung contributing almost 25 percent of the total funding.

"We definitely have the largest share. Of the Rp200 billion a year, we currently receive almost 25 percent," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)