By: Gunawan Naufal*
Eid homecoming has become a very important tradition for Indonesian people. Every year, millions of people prepare to travel to their hometowns to stay in touch with family and relatives.
However, homecoming trips are often characterized by various challenges such as traffic jams, fatigue and the risk of accidents. To overcome this, the Indonesian Government has taken steps to organize a free homecoming program via various modes of transportation such as ships, buses and trains.
One aspect that attracts attention in this program is the opportunity for people to travel home for free, without having to worry about burdensome transportation costs. The story of Afifatus Sarifa and Muhammad Haki is a reflection of the benefits obtained by the community through this program.
Afifatus, a participant in the free homecoming program, shared his experience in utilizing this program. For him, the free homecoming program is not just a means to return to his hometown, but also an opportunity to win various door prizes, including the biggest prize in the form of a motorbike in 2023. The positive experience felt by Afifatus is a reflection of the benefits obtained by the community through this program.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Haki also felt the benefits of the free homecoming program, especially via bus land transportation. For him, this program is not just a means of transportation, but also brings joy to homecoming travelers in meeting their families in their hometowns.
This is in line with the slogan of the free homecoming program presented by the Ministry of Transportation, namely “Cheerful Homecoming Full of Meaning”. The success of the free homecoming program in bringing joy to travelers is a reflection of the government’s success in implementing this program.
However, apart from providing joy for homecoming travelers, the free homecoming program also has other positive impacts, namely in improving safety and welfare during the Eid homecoming period.
The Director of Traffic and Sea Transport at the Ministry of Transportation, Hendri Ginting, stated that the government had allocated a large enough budget to subsidize sea ship, bus and train tickets. Passenger and two-wheeled vehicle quotas have been set for various routes, including outside Java, so that this service can be enjoyed by people in various regions of Indonesia.
Pertamina has also prepared various strategies to deal with the predicted high homecoming flow. Pertamina’s President Director, Nicke Widyawati, stated that Pertamina had increased energy stocks and carried out digital distribution monitoring to ensure energy availability during the Eid homecoming period.
These steps taken by Pertamina are clear evidence of the company’s commitment to providing the best service to the community during the Eid homecoming period.
Not only that, the Malang City Government, together with various related agencies, such as Jasa Raharja, the Malang City Transportation Service, and the Malang City Police Traffic Unit, are also committed to maintaining service quality during the 2024 Lebaran PAM operation.
These steps include preparation and coordination between related parties to provide the best service to the community, especially traffic accident victims. This commitment shown by the Malang City Government is part of the government’s efforts to ensure the safety and welfare of the community during the Eid homecoming period.
Apart from that, President Joko Widodo also appealed to the public to plan their return home early considering that the number of homecoming travelers is predicted to increase significantly.
This appeal is the government’s effort to ensure the smooth running of the homecoming tradition which is an important part of Indonesian culture. By planning to go home early, it is hoped that travelers can avoid traffic jams and the risk of accidents that might occur during the homecoming trip.
The government’s efforts to organize a free homecoming program are a real form of concern for the welfare of the community. By providing free access to transportation to the community, the government plays a role in facilitating the movement of people to their hometowns.
This not only reduces the financial burden on people, but also allows them to celebrate Eid with their families without having to worry about expensive transportation costs.
The free homecoming program also has a positive impact in reducing traffic jams and the risk of accidents during the Eid homecoming period. By providing free access to transportation to the public, the government can reduce the number of private vehicles plying the homecoming route, thereby reducing the potential for traffic jams.
However, to achieve success in organizing the free homecoming program, coordination and cooperation between various related parties is required. The government needs to work together with transportation operators, energy companies and other related parties to ensure smooth and safe travel home for Eid.
Apart from that, the government also needs to provide outreach and education to the public regarding the importance of planning a homecoming trip well, including paying attention to safety and comfort factors during the trip.
Thus, the free homecoming program is not just a means of free transportation for the community, but also has a positive impact on various aspects of people’s lives. Through this program, the government can facilitate the movement of people to their hometowns, maintain safety and comfort during the journey, and provide economic stimulus for homecoming destination areas.
Therefore, appreciating the government’s efforts in organizing the free homecoming program is the right step in supporting the welfare and happiness of the Indonesian people.
*) The author is a contributor to the Satu Kawan Million Friends Foundation
