Jakarta.The West Java capital of Bandung is moving ahead with three major transport projects under Indonesia's National Strategic Projects (PSN) program as the city seeks to ease chronic congestion, improve public mobility and attract green investment.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the projects comprise the Bandung Intra Urban Toll Road (BIUTR), the Bandung Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and a proposed light monorail linking the city's southern districts with its commercial center.

Speaking at the Investor Daily Roundtable titled "Green Is the New Growth: Orchestrating Environmental Management and Green Financing for Development" in Jakarta on Tuesday, Farhan said the projects are central to Bandung's long-term urban mobility strategy.

"These are transport projects that have been included in the National Strategic Projects program," Farhan said. "The BRT is already under construction, while preparations are underway for the monorail."

The most advanced project is the BRT system, whose construction began earlier this year. The network is scheduled to become fully operational by mid-2027, connecting the Greater Bandung metropolitan area, including the cities of Bandung and Cimahi as well as the regencies of Bandung, West Bandung and Sumedang.

The BRT is expected to become the backbone of public transportation in one of Indonesia's largest urban agglomerations, replacing fragmented minibus services with a modern bus rapid transit network. As part of the transition, Bandung's historic Cicaheum Terminal has been closed and is being converted into the system's main depot.

Farhan said the city is also reviving plans for a light elevated monorail stretching from Kopo in South Bandung to Simpang Dago in the north, a corridor that passes through some of the city's busiest commercial and residential districts.

The project remains in the planning stage, with the city preparing locations for support pillars while feasibility studies are carried out.

According to Farhan, the feasibility study is expected to take about 18 months, followed by another 18 months for detailed engineering design, allowing construction to begin in roughly three years.

The proposed monorail has already been included in the National Development Planning Agency's (Bappenas) project pipeline, he added.

Bandung is also pursuing green financing and international partnerships to fund the rail project, including discussions with French partners and European investors interested in financing the elevated infrastructure.

"The financing is already included in Bappenas' Blue Book," Farhan said.

Meanwhile, the 27-kilometer BIUTR elevated toll road has re-emerged after years of delays. The project, estimated to cost around Rp 12.6 trillion ($720 million), is designed to connect the Pasteur toll gate with the Cisumdawu Toll Road through eastern Bandung.

Once completed, the toll road is expected to reduce inner-city congestion by as much as 50 percent by separating through traffic from local vehicles.

Farhan said several foreign investors have expressed interest in financing the project.

"Australia, Japan and South Korea are all interested," he said.

The mayor said financing for the three projects would rely largely on overseas funding. The World Bank is supporting the BRT project, while France is expected to participate in financing the monorail.

Beyond land transportation, Farhan also reiterated hopes that Husein Sastranegara International Airport would soon regain its international status following guidance from President Prabowo Subianto.

The airport lost most of its commercial services after the opening of Kertajati International Airport, as the government shifted many scheduled flights to the newer facility to improve regional connectivity.

Restoring international flights to Husein Sastranegara International Airport would complement Bandung's broader efforts to attract more foreign visitors. Although the city—widely known as the "Paris of Java" (Paris van Java) for its colonial-era charm, cool climate and vibrant shopping and culinary scene—continues to rely largely on domestic tourists, Malaysia and Singapore remain its biggest international visitor markets. City officials hope improved transport infrastructure, including the Whoosh high-speed railway, expanded public transit and restored international air links, will strengthen Bandung's appeal to overseas travelers and reinforce its position as one of Indonesia's leading tourism and creative economy hubs.

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