Transportation Observers Propose Free Homecoming To Become A National Program, Here's The Reason

Eid homecoming illustration (Photo; Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Lebaran homecoming has become a tradition for Indonesians. Every Eid season arrives, residents who can only go home once a year really hope for free homecoming. Hunting for free homecoming registration is a wait for residents who are used to using it.

Academics of the Unika Soegijapranata Civil Engineering Study Program as well as Deputy Chair of the Regional Empowerment and Strengthening Division of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Djoko Setijowarno said that the free Homecoming Program during Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr or Christmas and New Year Celebration (Nataru) needs to be a national program.

According to him, this is because it aims to facilitate the movement between large and small islands and people living in water areas. The target is people who live in archipelagic areas and there is no air transportation service.

"The implementation is not only in Java and parts of Sumatra Island, but also in areas, including in islands that use ships as their modes," said Djoko in a written statement received by VOI, Friday, April 14.

Djoko said that the free homecoming program in the future aims to facilitate motorists to move to use public transportation and facilitate groups of underprivileged people so that they can go home and not only as spectators.

"The target is for motorcycle users to switch to using public transportation, non-motorized residents but want to go home and not be able to pay for themselves," he said.

In addition, Djoko continued, the purpose of going home for free can also facilitate the lower middle class for homecoming.

"In order not to get the wrong target, the basis for the selection is the cards issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs (such as a pre-sesejahtera card, PKH) so that they can also participate in feeling the joy of going home," he said.

He said, free homecoming is also very helpful for middle and lower class travelers who miss their hometowns. "At least, every year you can go home to relatives and share stories while gathering in the capital," concluded Djoko.

For your information, this year, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has prepared free homecoming for 75,792 passengers and 13,840 motorbikes.

For details, the Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation provides 585 bus units to transport 24,072 passengers and 30 trucks to carry 900 motorcycles.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation has prepared three service routes with a capacity of 46,720 passengers and 10,440 motorcycles, with a total duration of 20 days (homecoming and returning).

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation has opened a shipping route. The Tanjung Priok-Landing Tanjung Emas Port route uses KM Dobonsolo with a capacity of 5,000 passengers and 2,500 motorcycles.