Bali News

Objection appealed by taxi drivers association of Bali has just been refused. Bali transportation office has approved additional 100 units for Blue Bird and additional 80 units for Koptax Ngurah Rai. Head of Bali Transportation Office, Ida Bagus Parsa explained after an assembly of Bali’s provincial house of representatives (DPRD Bali) on Tuesday, July 14th.

The day before taxi drivers association met DPRD to as for confirmation about approval granted to Bali Taxi for additional 400 units. They expressed their objection against the approval as it may affect their income.

Parsa admitted that Blue Bird has submit a proposal for additional 500 units into its fleet. At the moment Blue Bird has 500 units in its fleet. However the government has only approved 100 units out of proposed 500 units. Addiionally the government has also approved additional 80 units for Koptax Ngurah Rai. The reason behind the approval was the fact that with increasing tourist visits, Bali needs more taxis. “Back in 2001 there were 1.2 million of foreign tourists visiting Bali, in 2009 we expect at least 2 million”, he said.

With the new approval Blue Bird will have a total of 600 taxis in its fleet whilst Koptax Ngurah Rai will have 180 units. Komotra and Kowinu are under authority of the Regent. Approval of additional taxi units was still within existing total quota as a number of taxi operators namely Pan Wirti, Bali Praja, and PWI Bali which have allocation of 600 units have never used their allocation so far.

Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika also confirmed approval for additional taxi units related to replacement of outdated units. With the new units taxi operators are expected to serve tourist better.