DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution officially inaugurated the operation of the Mebidang Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The buses serve the Medan–Binjai and Medan–Lubukpakam routes. The deployment of electric buses marks a new step by the North Sumatra provincial government in developing a modern, integrated, comfortable and environmentally friendly public transportation system across the Medan, Binjai and Deliserdang metropolitan area.
The launch of the Mebidang BRT comes amid growing demand for public transportation capable of addressing traffic congestion and the public's high dependence on private vehicles. The government hopes the new service will not only provide additional mobility options but also help change people's daily travel habits.
Bobby Nasution stressed that the success of the BRT would depend not only on infrastructure and the availability of a bus fleet. In his view, the government and operator must ensure consistently high service quality, punctuality, passenger safety and easy access so that people will genuinely make public transportation their preferred mode of mobility.
According to Bobby, the government is responsible for providing adequate mobility options for the public. The growing number of private vehicles must be balanced by comfortable, safe and affordable public transportation.
"The more private vehicles there are, the more difficult it becomes for the government to ensure adequate services. Therefore, the government must provide public transportation," Bobby said.
Bobby Urges Regions to Put Aside Local Interests
Bobby also urged the heads of local governments across the Mebidang area to set aside individual regional interests in developing the transportation system. Connectivity between areas cannot function optimally if each local government focuses solely on the interests of its own jurisdiction.
He made it clear that the Mebidang BRT must not stop at the introduction of electric buses. Regional governments must work together with the central government to build a transportation system that sustainably connects different areas and modes of transportation.
"This is not merely the introduction of buses, but a connected and integrated transportation system that will also encourage a shift in mobility culture from private vehicles to public transportation," he said.
Bobby subsequently personally tested the Mebidang BRT with his delegation. They traveled by electric bus from Lubukpakam Terminal to Pos Blok Lapangan Merdeka in Medan to experience the operation of the new service firsthand.
The trip was also part of the introduction of the BRT service to the public. The government wants to ensure that people are informed about the new public transportation service and understand the benefits of using public transit for mobility across the metropolitan area.
MEBIDANG BRT AIMED AT IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE: Director of Road Transportation at the Directorate General of Land Transportation Muiz Thohir describes the development of the Mebidang BRT as an investment in people's quality of life, economic productivity and a greener future. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Reducing Traffic Congestion and CO₂ Emissions
Director of Road Transportation at the Directorate General of Land Transportation Muiz Thohir said the Mebidang BRT is part of the government's efforts to establish a more modern and integrated urban transportation system.
He explained that the development of urban areas is among the national priorities under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). Around 20 cities or metropolitan areas have been designated as priority areas, including Medan and its surrounding regions.
Muiz said traffic congestion is one of the key challenges that the government must address by strengthening public transportation. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Medan has a congestion level of around 54.2 percent. This significantly increases travel times for residents compared with normal traffic conditions.
A journey that can normally be completed in around 10 minutes, for example, can take considerably longer as traffic density increases.
For this reason, the government is promoting the expansion of public transportation to reduce people's dependence on private vehicles. In addition to easing road congestion, greater use of public transportation can help reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The Transportation Ministry is also implementing the BRT Transit Program in the Greater Medan area and the Bandung Raya region as a pilot project with support from the World Bank. The program is part of the government's efforts to strengthen urban transportation systems while improving people's quality of life.
"Development is not only a physical process. It is an investment in people's quality of life, economic productivity and a greener future," Muiz said.
30 ELECTRIC BUSES FOR REGULAR OPERATIONS: Head of the North Sumatra Transportation Agency Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan explains the planned full operation of the Mebidang BRT from December 8, 2026, with 30 electric buses serving two corridors and assigned as reserve vehicles. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Trial Operation With Two Buses, Full Service From December 8
Head of the North Sumatra Transportation Agency Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan said the introduction of electric buses in the Mebidang area is part of the provincial government's commitment to improving connectivity and providing modern, safe, integrated and environmentally friendly public transportation.
The program is designed to reduce traffic congestion, make travel times more efficient and lower CO₂ emissions. During the trial phase, two electric buses will initially operate. This phase is intended to assess technical conditions and travel times while also informing the public about how to use the BRT service.
Yuda said full operation of the Mebidang BRT is scheduled to begin on December 8, 2026. At that stage, a total of 30 electric buses will operate on two main corridors, with additional buses designated as reserves.
"Full operations are scheduled to begin on December 8, 2026, with a total of 30 electric buses. Fourteen vehicles will serve Corridor 11 (Teladan–Lubukpakam Terminal), 13 vehicles will serve Corridor 12 (Simpang Barat–Binjai), and three vehicles will be allocated as reserve buses," Yuda said.
During the trial period, residents can use the Mebidang BRT free of charge. Once regular operations begin, the government plans to set the fare at Rp4,300 for general passengers and Rp3,000 for certain groups, including students, people with disabilities and senior citizens.
The Mebidang BRT is expected to strengthen connectivity between Medan, Binjai and Deliserdang. Through the use of electric buses, the regional transportation system is also expected to move toward more efficient and lower-emission mobility.
Several senior officials attended the launch of the Mebidang BRT, including Presidential Special Adviser and President Commissioner of PT Blue Bird Bayu Priawan Djokosoetono, PT Big Bird Pusaka Director Kresna Priawan Djokosoetono, Chairman of the North Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Firsal Dida Mutiara, Deliserdang Regent Asri Ludin Tambunan, Binjai Mayor Amir Hamzah, Medan Deputy Mayor Zakiyuddin Harahap, Chairman of Commission D of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives Timbul Jaya Hamonangan, as well as representatives of the North Sumatra and Deliserdang Regional Leadership Coordination Forums (Forkopimda).
The government now faces the challenge of ensuring that the Mebidang BRT continues to operate reliably after the trial period ends. Punctuality, comfort, safety, affordable fares and integration with other modes of transportation will be crucial in encouraging people to switch from private vehicles to public transportation.
If all these aspects are implemented as planned, the Mebidang BRT will be more than an expansion of public transportation services. The service could become an important part of changing people's mobility habits while laying the foundation for a more integrated urban transportation system across Greater Medan, Binjai and Deliserdang. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala