PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan is optimistic that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will provide comfortable and integrated public transportation for residents.

Farhan expressed this optimism at Bandung City Hall (14/9/2026), even though the BRT development faces various challenges in the field.

According to Farhan, public criticism and concerns are natural because BRT brings changes to Bandung City's transportation system.

"This BRT is indeed the choice we must make. I've been using this BRT since before I was inaugurated, and I've traveled the BRT route many times," said Farhan.

One of the public's concerns is the plan to build bus stops in the middle of the road on a number of main corridors in Bandung City.

The bus stops are planned to be located in the Cicadas area, Jalan Jakarta, Ciroyom, and Pasar Baru to support public transportation access.

"It's indeed a bit difficult to imagine that there will be bus stops along Jalan Cicadas, Jalan Jakarta, and even the Ciroyom and Pasar Baru areas. The debate will certainly never end, but the choice remains," he said.

Farhan explained that the Bandung BRT is a joint program of the Ministry of Transportation and the West Java Provincial Transportation Agency.

"We will continue to absorb various aspirations from the public regarding the inconvenience caused by this BRT," he said.

The initial BRT corridor serves the east-west route connecting a number of community activity centers in Bandung City.

The route starts from Kiaracondong towards Bandung Square, then continues to South Station, Kebonjati, Otista, Tegalega, and returns to the eastern corridor.

To facilitate access for residents, the Bandung City Government has prepared a feeder system that is integrated with the main BRT service.

The feeder service will utilize city transportation through fleet rejuvenation to make it more comfortable and meet modern transportation needs.

"These feeders are the public transportation vehicles we're familiar with. There will be a rejuvenation of the public transportation vehicles, and hopefully, we can reach an agreement soon for the new ones," he said.

The Bandung City Government is also awaiting the implementation of public transportation to Husein Sastranegara Airport to strengthen public transportation connectivity.

Construction of mid-way bus stops continues as they are part of the basic design of the BRT system that has been designed.

"Construction of the bus stop in the middle will continue. That's part of the concept, and I can't oppose it, because it's part of the BRT design," Farhan said.

Safety aspects remain a concern, including the possibility of building a pedestrian bridge (JPO) based on the results of the study.

"If it turns out to be dangerous, I will insist on having a pedestrian bridge above it. But that really depends on the results of the calculations for the project itself," he said.

The Bandung City Government is also opening up private investment opportunities to build parking facilities around the BRT corridor for private vehicle users.

These facilities are needed to support the shift of people from private vehicles to integrated mass transportation.

"We will conduct an open tender to potential investors who will build parking facilities at points around the BRT corridor," he said.

Farhan said that providing parking space is a challenge in strategic areas such as Dago, Pasar Baru, Hall Station, Asia Afrika, and Kiaracondong.

Medan City's experience is one of the reasons Farhan is optimistic that Bandung's BRT can provide benefits once the entire system is operational.

"I've been to Medan three times to try the BRT. It seems to be working. After becoming a resident, people feel more comfortable, even though construction was indeed very challenging," he said.

Farhan believes that the success of BRT also requires public support in adapting to the new transportation system.

"We are very open to various input and criticism. But this is a national project, so the Ministry of Transportation, the West Java Transportation Agency, and the Bandung City Transportation Agency must discuss it together. It's impossible for me to make a decision alone," said Farhan.

He hopes that BRT will provide more comfortable, integrated public transportation and will be able to help reduce traffic congestion in Bandung City.

"Once completed, we hope the public will feel the benefits. The construction process is certainly challenging, but we want to provide a better transportation system for the future of Bandung," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)