Bali’s Airport-to-Canggu Tram Could Transform the Island, Says LUX Property Group Founder
A proposed tram connecting Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport with Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and eventually Canggu could become one of the island’s most important infrastructure investments, according to LUX Property Group founder Jamie McIntyre.
Bali and PT Kereta Api Indonesia are advancing plans for a battery-powered tram system designed to reduce congestion along one of the island’s busiest tourism corridors. Current targets reportedly envisage construction beginning in 2027, initial services commencing in 2028 and the complete connection to Canggu opening in 2029. The proposed system could carry as many as 60,000 passengers per day, although detailed technical studies and community consultation must still be completed. (ANTARA News)
McIntyre said the proposal would be a welcome and long-overdue investment in Bali’s transport infrastructure.
“This is a much-needed project for Bali, and it would be fantastic to see it actually proceed,” he said.
“The distance along the coast between the airport, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Canggu is not particularly great. Yet travelling between these locations by road can take an extraordinary amount of time because of congestion and bottlenecks.”
An earlier coastal tram concept proposed connecting Ngurah Rai Airport with Kuta, Legian and Seminyak before extending north through Petitenget and Berawa to Canggu. (Future Southeast Asia)
McIntyre said a tram following or closely serving the beachfront tourism corridor would be more practical than several previous transport proposals.
“It is similar to an idea I previously suggested—constructing a boardwalk-style transport corridor along the beach, with electric trolleys carrying residents and visitors between the major tourism centres,” he said.
“A boardwalk and electric trolley system may be considerably less expensive to build. However, if Bali can successfully deliver a proper tram line, that would be even better.”
A conveniently located hop-on, hop-off service could allow tourists to travel from the airport to a stop near their hotel or villa and walk the remaining distance. This could reduce reliance on private cars, taxis and motorcycles while taking substantial pressure off Bali’s already overcrowded roads.
The concept would also give visitors a scenic and practical way to move between Bali’s major beachfront destinations without becoming trapped in traffic.
Tram Must Be Supported by Parking and Pedestrian Infrastructure
McIntyre cautioned that the tram should not be treated as a stand-alone solution.
“One of Bali’s other major problems is the lack of public parking. There are very few properly planned public car parks in the busiest areas,” he said.
“To make a mass-transit system work effectively, Bali should also build strategically located three- and four-storey parking facilities. People need somewhere to leave their vehicles before transferring to the tram, while the areas around stations need safe footpaths, crossings and convenient access to nearby hotels, villas, restaurants and beaches.”
Integrated transport hubs could enable residents, tourism workers and visitors to park outside the most congested precincts and continue their journeys by tram.
Bali Must Reconsider Its Approach to Building Heights
McIntyre said Bali must also have a serious discussion about building density and the long-term consequences of continuing urban sprawl.
“It sounds attractive to say that Bali should never have high-rise buildings, but refusing greater height everywhere has consequences,” he said.
“It forces development to spread outward, consumes more land, increases traffic congestion and contributes to the continuing loss of rice fields, green areas and natural landscapes.”
Rather than permitting high-rise development indiscriminately, he suggested carefully selected corridors—such as appropriate sections of Sunset Road—could accommodate taller, well-designed buildings.
“Allowing greater height in specifically designated locations could transform those areas while protecting more of Bali’s remaining green space,” McIntyre said.
“Any taller developments would need strict planning controls governing their location, spacing, architecture, environmental impact and infrastructure. They should also be positioned and designed so they do not create a continuous wall of buildings or obstruct the cooling breezes that flow across the island, particularly from the Sanur side towards Seminyak.”
He said Bali now needs coordinated planning that brings transport, parking, pedestrian access, development density and environmental protection together.
“The airport-to-Canggu tram could be an excellent start,” McIntyre concluded.
“If it is properly planned and genuinely delivered, it could reduce road traffic, improve the visitor experience and help Bali move towards a more functional and sustainable future.”
Anupam Sir
Bali’s Airport-to-Canggu Tram Could Transform the Island, Says LUX Property Group Founder
A proposed tram connecting Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport with Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and eventually Canggu could become one of the island’s most important infrastructure investments, according to LUX Property Group founder Jamie McIntyre.
Bali and PT Kereta Api Indonesia are advancing plans for a battery-powered tram system designed to reduce congestion along one of the island’s busiest tourism corridors. Current targets reportedly envisage construction beginning in 2027, initial services commencing in 2028 and the complete connection to Canggu opening in 2029. The proposed system could carry as many as 60,000 passengers per day, although detailed technical studies and community consultation must still be completed. (ANTARA News)
McIntyre said the proposal would be a welcome and long-overdue investment in Bali’s transport infrastructure.
“This is a much-needed project for Bali, and it would be fantastic to see it actually proceed,” he said.
“The distance along the coast between the airport, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Canggu is not particularly great. Yet travelling between these locations by road can take an extraordinary amount of time because of congestion and bottlenecks.”
An earlier coastal tram concept proposed connecting Ngurah Rai Airport with Kuta, Legian and Seminyak before extending north through Petitenget and Berawa to Canggu. (Future Southeast Asia)
McIntyre said a tram following or closely serving the beachfront tourism corridor would be more practical than several previous transport proposals.
“It is similar to an idea I previously suggested—constructing a boardwalk-style transport corridor along the beach, with electric trolleys carrying residents and visitors between the major tourism centres,” he said.
“A boardwalk and electric trolley system may be considerably less expensive to build. However, if Bali can successfully deliver a proper tram line, that would be even better.”
A conveniently located hop-on, hop-off service could allow tourists to travel from the airport to a stop near their hotel or villa and walk the remaining distance. This could reduce reliance on private cars, taxis and motorcycles while taking substantial pressure off Bali’s already overcrowded roads.
The concept would also give visitors a scenic and practical way to move between Bali’s major beachfront destinations without becoming trapped in traffic.
Tram Must Be Supported by Parking and Pedestrian Infrastructure
McIntyre cautioned that the tram should not be treated as a stand-alone solution.
“One of Bali’s other major problems is the lack of public parking. There are very few properly planned public car parks in the busiest areas,” he said.
“To make a mass-transit system work effectively, Bali should also build strategically located three- and four-storey parking facilities. People need somewhere to leave their vehicles before transferring to the tram, while the areas around stations need safe footpaths, crossings and convenient access to nearby hotels, villas, restaurants and beaches.”
Integrated transport hubs could enable residents, tourism workers and visitors to park outside the most congested precincts and continue their journeys by tram.
Bali Must Reconsider Its Approach to Building Heights
McIntyre said Bali must also have a serious discussion about building density and the long-term consequences of continuing urban sprawl.
“It sounds attractive to say that Bali should never have high-rise buildings, but refusing greater height everywhere has consequences,” he said.
“It forces development to spread outward, consumes more land, increases traffic congestion and contributes to the continuing loss of rice fields, green areas and natural landscapes.”
Rather than permitting high-rise development indiscriminately, he suggested carefully selected corridors—such as appropriate sections of Sunset Road—could accommodate taller, well-designed buildings.
“Allowing greater height in specifically designated locations could transform those areas while protecting more of Bali’s remaining green space,” McIntyre said.
“Any taller developments would need strict planning controls governing their location, spacing, architecture, environmental impact and infrastructure. They should also be positioned and designed so they do not create a continuous wall of buildings or obstruct the cooling breezes that flow across the island, particularly from the Sanur side towards Seminyak.”
He said Bali now needs coordinated planning that brings transport, parking, pedestrian access, development density and environmental protection together.
“The airport-to-Canggu tram could be an excellent start,” McIntyre concluded.
“If it is properly planned and genuinely delivered, it could reduce road traffic, improve the visitor experience and help Bali move towards a more functional and sustainable future.”
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