Around the world, cities are moving toward low-carbon public transport. In Indonesia, this shift is driven by national policies on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, with Padang and Medan now taking steps to replace their conventional diesel-powered buses with electric ones as part of the country’s mission to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban mobility system.

On June 24, 2025, Urban-Act Indonesia in collaboration with Urban-Act China organized a hybrid workshop on Bus Electrification System, with the participation of 24 representatives from government of Padang and Medan, Bus Operators, GIZ Indonesia, GIZ China, UCLG-ASPAC, and Shenzhen Bus Group. The report on Preliminary Assessment on Bus Electrification System was presented by Shenzhen Bus Group, reflecting findings from field visits, focus group discussions, and multiple rounds of surveys conducted since April 2024. 

Focuses on assessing current mobility systems in Padang and Medan city, the report uses Shenzhen’s best practices as benchmark and provide recommendations for improvements and setting strategic directions for green transformation. Experiences of Shenzhen in transitioning from conventional to Bus Electrification System was also presented.

The discussions in the workshop include:
• Regulatory framework: policy, cross-sectoral collaboration
• Operations: feeder system, standardization of bus stops
• Improved technical system: age of fleets, digital maintenance system
• Smart infrastructure: charging stations, digital platforms
• Safety framework: driver training, smart safety technology

While Medan already operates 60 electric buses and supported by an adequate charging infrastructure with a 3:1 charger-to-bus ratio, Padang is still in the early stages of the transition. Both cities are eager to shift their current bus system towards bus electrification system. The report and workshop have successfully provided inputs to the cities stakeholders and served as a base to further develop their bus system. Especially considering that the shift is an opportunity to have a low carbon transportation system in the cities in place.