Don't be confused about finding transportation home thanks to the free homecoming program

The free homecoming program is very important because this is a way for a number of residents to return to their hometowns for Eid.

KOMPAS/M PASCHALIA JUDITH JUSTIARI

Preparatory atmosphere for the release of the Isuzu Free Homecoming #AccompaniedByAlways fleet in Bekasi, West Java, Friday (5/4/2024).

Happy faces seemed to enliven the atmosphere of free homecoming in the middle of Harapan Indah City, Bekasi, West Java. The smiles and sparkling eyes of the participants indicated their relief at being able to get out of the trap of being confused about finding modes of transportation to return home to their hometowns.

Devi (34), a resident living in Pondok Ungu Permai, Bekasi, could not hide her joy from being able to go home to her village for free with her husband and two children.

Also read: Not in vain staring at websites for free homecoming

Initially, he was sincere that he would not be able to go home for Eid this year. On Tuesday (3/4/2024), Devi received information that PT Isuzu Astra Motor Indonesia (IAMI) was holding a free homecoming program. He also decided to register on the WhatsApp application number listed in the announcement.

"I tried to register and it turns out my luck is here," he said when met on Friday (5/4/2024) at the IAMI free homecoming event in Bekasi.

Also read: Hundreds of West Kalimantan Residents Participate in Free Homecoming

For the past two months, Devi has been struggling to find a ticket. Initially, she had booked a train ticket through a mobile application.

However, there was an issue during payment which caused her to fail in obtaining the ticket. The hope of her mother-in-law, who wants Devi and her family to return to their hometown, always haunts them.

Devi and her family can finally travel back to Yogyakarta. For now, she is grateful to be able to go home to her hometown, even though there are still other issues that need to be faced.

The free mudik program by IAMI does not include transportation facilities for the return trip to Bekasi. Therefore, upon arrival in her hometown, Devi plans to consider the means of transportation for her return trip after celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

Also read: Free Motorbike Delivery for Homecomers

Gratitude was also expressed by Slamet (40), a free mudik participant. "Alhamdulillah, it feels so great. Hopefully this free mudik can be held again in the following years," he said.

He went back to his hometown in Solo, Central Java, with his wife and two children. Previously, he had difficulty finding a homecoming ticket. If he couldn't join the free homecoming program, he had planned to keep looking for tickets until he could go back to his hometown.

Drivers only

Devi and Slamet are participants in the Isuzu free Mudik program #DitemaniYangSejalan. Registration for the program took place from March 16 to April 3, 2024. The program targets those who work as commercial vehicle drivers and their families.

Deputy Business Strategy Division Head of IAMI, Rian Erlangga, explained that there were 64 families who participated in the free homecoming program with a total of 200 participants.

Also read: Those who leave their private vehicles and go home for free

KOMPAS/M PASCHALIA JUDITH JUSTIARI

Preparatory atmosphere for the release of the Isuzu Free Homecoming #AccompaniedByAlways fleet in Bekasi, West Java, Friday (5/4/2024).

The transportation facilities provided by this automotive company are five medium-sized buses with a capacity of 31 seats. Not to be outdone, there are also five small buses with a capacity of nine seats that are deployed for the free homecoming program.

The ten vehicles will travel to various cities in Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java. The destinations of the cities include Semarang, Solo, Malang, and Surabaya.

Every bus is equipped with air conditioning system and entertainment such as music and radio, but there is no karaoke facility. Based on observation, before departure, the committee brought stacks of boxed rice into each bus.

A number of drivers of the free mudik bus fleet also received additional bonuses to enjoy with their families. For example, free haircuts, massages, family photo sessions, and playground tickets for children. There is also a cash prize game draw with a total of up to Rp 50 million and basic necessities packages.

Also read: Crowds return to their hometowns with free homecoming

For Andi (45), one of the bus drivers delivering the participants, the start of the homecoming exodus is a happy day. He will drive towards Surabaya as the final destination. For more than 5 years, he has been regularly driving the free homecoming vehicles. He no longer thinks about going back to his hometown in Cilacap.

“When I arrive in Surabaya, I will return to Jakarta. "After Eid, I have the task of taking him to Semarang," he said.

According to PT IAMI's President Director, Yusak Kristian, the free "mudik" program is a form of appreciation for drivers who have become partners for the company. In addition, the program is also expected to encourage some residents to switch from motorcycle transportation to "mudik" which is more risky.

Also read: Losing Train "Ticket War", Homecoming Fighters Saved by Free Homecoming Program

BUMN homecoming

Meanwhile, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, and Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono also released a fleet of free "mudik" (homecoming) transportation in conjunction with the state-owned enterprises from Silang Monumen Nasional Field in Jakarta on Friday.

"This program encourages the migration of travelers to be safer and more comfortable by using public transportation," said Erick in a press release received.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Homecomers participating in the free homecoming journey wait for the bus to depart from the Monas area, Jakarta, Thursday (4/4/2024).

The number of participants in the free mudik (homecoming) program sponsored by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises is 94,753 or 40 percent higher compared to Ramadan 2023. The participants are divided into three modes of transportation, namely 1,536 buses for 70,179 participants, 60 trains for 19,122 participants, and 30 ships for 5,452 passengers.

Also read: 12,170 Residents Leave Jakarta, DKI Provincial Government Urges Not to Invite Relatives When Returning

The free homecoming (mudik) program with BUMN in 2024 is also more inclusive because it provides innovative services for disabled travelers. Overall, the implementation of the program is the result of collaboration from 88 BUMN and their subsidiaries.

For the capital city Jakarta, the DKI Provincial Government noted that 12,170 citizens participated in the free homecoming program organized by the local government. When bidding farewell to their departure, Heru Budi warned the travelers not to bring along their relatives when returning to Jakarta to urbanize.