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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Electric tourist rickshaws become Yogyakarta's new icon

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Yogyakarta, Indonesia, has launched 80 electric tourist rickshaws (Bekalista) designed by vocational school students.
  • The Bekalista initiative aims to become a new icon for tourist transportation in the city, integrating digital operations via the 'Jogja Kita' app.
  • The project, supported by the Ministry of Finance, involves local labor for fabrication and assembly, with plans for further financial support for similar vocational projects.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is embracing a greener future with the launch of 80 "Becak Listrik Wisata" (Bekalista), or electric tourist rickshaws. These eco-friendly vehicles, a creation of students from SMK Negeri 3 Yogyakarta, are set to become a new symbol of tourist transport in the city.

The development involved 100 percent local Yogyakarta labor. Starting from fabrication, assembly, electrical systems, to the teaching factory within the vocational education environment.

— Purbaya Yudhi SadewaThe Minister of Finance highlighted the local workforce involved in the Bekalista project.

The Bekalista operates on a digitally integrated system, accessible through the 'Jogja Kita' application, offering a modern and sustainable way for visitors to explore the city. The initiative was officially launched on Thursday, July 16, 2026, by the Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, alongside the Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.

This launch is part of the Ministry of Finance's "Pusat Investasi Pemerintah" (PIP) program, which aims to strengthen the grassroots economy and promote a more modern and sustainable transformation in tourist transportation. Beyond the rickshaws themselves, the project includes a comprehensive support ecosystem. This comprises 12 charging stations, one mobile workshop, eight spare batteries, and a main workshop located at SMK Negeri 3 Yogyakarta.

I entrust that the charging stations must be truly functional, easy to use, and well-maintained.

— Purbaya Yudhi SadewaThe Minister of Finance emphasized the importance of maintaining the charging infrastructure.

Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa highlighted that the entire Bekalista ecosystem was developed using 100 percent local Yogyakarta labor. "The development involved 100 percent local Yogyakarta labor. Starting from fabrication, assembly, electrical systems, to the teaching factory within the vocational education environment," Purbaya stated. He urged for the proper maintenance of all supporting facilities to ensure the optimal operation of the Bekalista fleet. Purbaya also expressed openness to providing financial support for other projects developed by vocational schools, encouraging them to submit proposals for potential assistance.

Later, if there are other projects, I can help. Just submit it, call the PIP people, tell them to think about whether they can help. If they can help, I will tell them to push them to help.

— Purbaya Yudhi SadewaThe Minister of Finance expressed willingness to support future projects from vocational schools.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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