DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – The Denpasar Transportation Agency (Dishub) is preparing to reactivate Mertasari Jetty as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the Sanur tourism area, one of Bali’s busiest coastal destinations.
Head of the Denpasar Transportation Agency, I Ketut Sriawan, said the move is aimed at dispersing passenger flows that have long been concentrated at Matahari Terbit Port, which frequently contributes to traffic buildup in eastern Denpasar.
“We are maintaining the quality of Denpasar’s transport services, including traffic management. By reactivating Mertasari, passenger movements will no longer be focused solely on Matahari Terbit Sanur, allowing congestion to be spread out,” Sriawan said on Sunday, January 25, 2025.
According to Sriawan, the reactivation of Mertasari Jetty is part of an integrated urban transport strategy aligned with tourist mobility patterns. The Mertasari area is considered to have strong potential as an alternative departure and arrival point for sea transportation, while also supporting sustainable tourism development in its surrounding area.
To implement the plan, Dishub Denpasar has coordinated with several stakeholders, including the Harbor Master and Port Authority (KSOP), Bhukti Praja Sewakadarma (Perumda BPS), and the village-owned enterprise (BUPDA Intaran) of Desa Adat Intaran.
“We have coordinated so that Perumda BPS works together with the customary village. The plan has entered the spatial arrangement stage, including preparations for passenger waiting areas and safety facilities,” he explained.
Regarding legal aspects, Sriawan said the permitting process is currently underway. He noted that, from a spatial planning perspective, the Mertasari area has long been designated as a jetty location and has a history of previous operations.
At present, the main focus is on organizing passenger service areas, which is being handled jointly by Perumda BPS and BUPDA Desa Adat Intaran. “Once the arrangement is complete, we expect sea transport operators, together with KSOP, to begin docking and operating from Mertasari Jetty,” Sriawan added.
Beyond easing traffic congestion, the reactivation of the jetty is also expected to deliver economic benefits to the local community. The Sanur–Serangan corridor, identified as a strategic tourism zone, relies heavily on well-managed sea transportation to support visitor flows and local economic activity.
Sriawan said the city government is targeting the jetty to become operational within 2026. “Astungkara, we hope it can start operating this year,” he concluded.