By: Alfa Freddy Batistuta *)
The government’s policy of providing toll rate discounts and reducing domestic airfare prices ahead of the 2025 Eid homecoming (mudik) season has received positive responses from various groups. This initiative is seen as a concrete demonstration of the government’s commitment to easing travel costs for citizens and boosting the tourism and domestic economic sectors.
Astra Infra Group Chief Executive Officer, Firman Yosafat Siregar, stated that the toll rate discount is part of the company’s commitment to supporting smooth travel during the 2025 Eid homecoming. Additionally, this policy serves as an appreciation for toll road users who have remained loyal to Astra Infra’s services. Firman emphasized that the policy will help improve traffic flow and enhance road user comfort, particularly during peak homecoming periods.
In recent years, the Eid homecoming rush has posed a significant challenge for both the government and toll road operators. With toll discounts in place, traffic distribution is expected to be more balanced, reducing congestion at critical bottleneck points. This initiative aligns with President Prabowo’s vision of enhancing national infrastructure connectivity and ensuring a more comfortable homecoming experience for citizens. The government is also actively promoting alternative routes and encouraging the use of toll road information services to facilitate smoother travel.
The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) has also welcomed the government’s policy of lowering domestic airfare prices by 13-14% during the 2025 Eid homecoming period. Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri, emphasized that her ministry has taken proactive measures to anticipate the surge in tourism mobility during this holiday season. Furthermore, Kemenpar is coordinating with tourism industry players and airlines to maintain service quality despite the increased number of passengers.
According to Widiyanti, this policy will have a positive impact on the national tourism sector. More affordable ticket prices will encourage people not only to return to their hometowns but also to explore various tourist destinations across Indonesia. With the rising number of domestic tourists, the tourism sector—one of the pillars of the national economy—will continue to grow, providing widespread benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourist destinations. Widiyanti added that Kemenpar has prepared various affordable travel packages aimed at attracting more tourists during the Eid holiday season.
The toll rate and airfare discount policy has also received appreciation from Member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission XI, Marwan Cik Asan. He believes this initiative significantly benefits the public, especially those planning to travel for the holiday. The discounts serve as an important stimulus for the middle class, who rely on air travel, particularly given the frequent spike in ticket prices during the homecoming season. Marwan also emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination to ensure the policy is implemented effectively and reaches the right beneficiaries.
Marwan noted that these transportation fare discounts not only alleviate the economic burden on citizens but also help stabilize airfare prices during the Eid holiday period. With government intervention, ticket prices are expected to remain stable, preventing drastic hikes that could strain people’s finances. Additionally, this policy reflects the government’s attentiveness to public needs and its commitment to creating a more affordable and inclusive transportation ecosystem.
The toll and airfare discounts are not merely short-term policies but are part of the government’s broader strategy to drive national economic recovery. As people’s mobility increases, economic activity in homecoming and tourism destinations will accelerate. Small traders, service industries, and local transportation businesses will all benefit from this policy. The government has also established monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure the policy is implemented optimally and delivers maximum benefits to the public.
This policy is also aligned with the government’s efforts to balance public needs with economic growth. By ensuring more affordable transportation access, the government not only supports the deeply rooted homecoming tradition in Indonesian culture but also strengthens citizens’ purchasing power by reducing travel costs. This balance is expected to yield long-term positive effects on the national economy, especially in accelerating post-pandemic economic recovery.
The measures taken by President Prabowo’s administration in providing toll and airfare discounts demonstrate a strong commitment to the welfare of the people. The government is not only focused on physical infrastructure development but also on ensuring direct benefits for the public. This commitment aligns with efforts to build a more prosperous and just society.
With various pro-people policies in place, it is only fitting for the public to support and have confidence in the government’s initiatives. Collaboration between the government, private sector, and society will be key to achieving widespread and sustainable prosperity. This policy is not merely about numerical discounts; it is a reflection of genuine concern for advancing and enhancing the well-being of all Indonesians. The government remains committed to providing better, more equitable, and affordable transportation services for all citizens, supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
*) The author is a researcher at the Urban Catalyst Institute.
