Abandoned: 100 motorbikes deserted for years at Bali airport
One hundred motorcycles have reportedly been abandoned in the parking zone of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for years, authorities say, and they are urging the owners to claim their vehicles.
Local reports highlighted one motorcycle that was left untouched for seven years, gathering dust while accumulating parking fees that have soared to a staggering IDR74 million (US$4,777).
Iwan Novi, the Acting General Manager of Angkasa Pura I at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, was quoted by Nusa Bali as saying that 103 vehicles have been abandoned, comprising 100 motorcycles and three cars.
“Currently, we have recorded about 100 motorcycles that have not been picked up by their owners since October. There are even motorcycles that have been left by their owners for seven years. As for the four-wheeled vehicles, there are now three units from the initial four units. One unit was already collected by its owner, and the parking fee was paid in March 2022,” he said yesterday.
The duration of abandonment for these vehicles spans from seven years to a mere three months, depicting a wide range of neglect. Iwan also highlighted that the highest parking fee, amounting to approximately IDR74 million, was levied on a vehicle that entered the parking area on July 5, 2016.
The current parking service mechanism at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport does not facilitate the identification of these motor vehicle owners.
“However, we are working with relevant authorities, such as the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office, to ascertain the ownership of the abandoned motor vehicles,” added Iwan.
Further compounding this issue, Iwan mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding has been established with the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office. The airport authorities are presently deliberating on an appropriate protocol to manage the abandoned two-wheeled motor vehicles.
They emphasize the urgency for vehicle owners who suspect their vehicles might still be at Ngurah Rai Airport to promptly reach out to Angkasa Pura Support. Iwan acknowledged that the presence of ownerless vehicles occupies valuable parking spaces.
“We hope this information can be disseminated among the public to prompt vehicle owners to take immediate action in reclaiming their vehicles and avoiding accruing additional parking fees,” expressed Iwan.
The overnight parking rate for motorcycles at Ngurah Rai Airport was IDR16,000 (US$1.03) per day in 2016. Since 2021, this rate has surged to IDR28,000 (US$1.81) per day.
