Bandung City readies Rp 56 billion for BRT, awaits regional agreement

The Bandung city government has allocated approximately Rp 56 billion to support the operational costs of its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through a Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme. However, the disbursement of these funds is currently on hold pending a collective agreement on the operational mechanisms and the specific financial contributions from each participating region.

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If we have budgeted, but it's still on hold. Because we want a joint agreement first. What are the calculations like?

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan stated that while the budget is set, the city is waiting for a clear calculation of the bills from the BRT operator and a consensus among the involved local governments. "We have budgeted, but it's still on hold. Because we want a joint agreement first. What are the calculations like?" Farhan explained.

The BRT services, operated under Metro Jabar Trans (MJT) and feeder routes, have been running since August 1, 2026. The PSO payments are expected to be billed between September 1 and 5, 2026. Before the official invoices are issued, the Bandung city government plans to discuss the matter with the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) and the other involved local authorities to ensure the cost calculations are acceptable to all parties.

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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.

Several local governments are expected to contribute to the PSO, including the West Java Provincial Government, Bandung City, Cimahi City, West Bandung Regency, Bandung Regency, and Sumedang Regency. Farhan noted that they have about 10 days to finalize these figures. He emphasized that PSO represents a government subsidy for public transportation, covering expenses such as driver salaries, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and procurement.

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We have about 10 days to ensure that all the bills later, the reconciliation of the numbers, makes sense and is accepted by everyone.

The allocated budget of Rp 49 billion to Rp 56 billion is not yet final, awaiting reconciliation. Farhan also acknowledged that the BRT's development has created unresolved issues, including parking diversions and impacts on street vendors, which also need attention.

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PSO is operational, various subsidies. So we each contribute to operational subsidies. Driver salaries, fuel, maintenance, procurement, and so on.