Horses, bicycles and a monorail: Bali transport 2050

After driving to the NE coast of Bali and enjoying some tranquility, I again came to a conclusion: The days of the internal combustion engine are over.

Environmentalists are telling us the game is over, unless we dramatically alter the way we operate. I’d say Bali is over unless we change some things, one of them being transportation.

Bali is a maze of narrow winding lanes and alleys, totally unsuited to large amounts of traffic. The way the locals drive, piling into every gap, regardless of the consequences, mean regular traffic jams. It actually doesn’t matter
that a motorbike can go faster than a horse & buggy, if you are sitting there during rush hour sucking in fumes. Not wanting to be a critic without a plan, I’ll give you the ‘Nick Plan for Bali transport 2050.

Okay here’s the deal. We’ve got a small island, with a surging population. One man one car / motorbike isn’t going to work in 2050. We need an efficient, clean and economically viable public transport system. It also has to be user friendly.

Step 1: Build a mass transit mono rail system throughout the developed areas (Metro Manila has one, so does Bangkok). The Balinese have a problem with things being higher than their temples. Its time to get over it guys (figuratively and literally), have a word with Sanghyang Widi Wasa and tell him you still love him. This system should have one facility for people, another for freight. The route should be expanded to other cities.

Step 2: A fleet of electric buses should be used on city and inter-city routes.
Step 3: All petrol driven vehicles should be banned, horse transportation encouraged.

I know that sounds like wishful thinking, but I would love it if they banned cars and motorbikes. I’d get a horse & buggy in a second.

Here’s Jakartass’s thoughts on some of the transport issues in Jakarta.