Car rental may soar during 'Lebaran'<\/p>\n
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Car rental companies will be doing brisk business during the
\nupcoming Idul Fitri holiday, as those who can afford to prefer to
\nrent minibuses to transport them to their hometown.<\/p>\n
As queuing along with thousands of other commuters and ticket
\nscalpers at railway and bus stations dampens one's holiday
\nspirit, some turn to the comfort of rented cars in spite of the
\nextra cost.<\/p>\n
Some car rentals companies offer limited vehicles for daily
\nrental, but most offer Idul Fitri or Lebaran packages. At smaller
\ncompanies, minibuses are rented for about Rp 3 million (US$
\n307.50) for a 10-day trip, while the larger ones are offering
\npackages that start at Rp 4 million.<\/p>\n
According to rental companies' staff, orders have been coming
\nin since the beginning of Ramadhan, both from new customers and
\nthose who used their service last year.<\/p>\n
"Every year, the number of orders increases during this time.
\nSo far, we already have more than 100 bookings," said Ari Agus,
\nsupervisor of Astra rent-a-car, which has about 200 cars.<\/p>\n
Astra offers a Lebaran package starting at Rp 4 million for
\nseven days, while daily rental charges start at Rp 770,000 for
\ntwelve hours usage.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, although bookings haven't exactly been pouring in
\nat the smaller car rental businesses, CIP car rental, is
\noptimistic they will still be able to make a profit from the
\nholiday season, just as they did last year.<\/p>\n
"I dare say more than 60 percent of Jakartans plan to visit
\ntheir hometowns in Java over Lebaran; we will still get our
\nshare," Diana, an employee at CIP said.<\/p>\n
Her company, has about 20 bookings so far. Most are due to
\ndepart a week before the holiday.<\/p>\n
Yono, 30, a domestic helper in Menteng, Central Jakarta, said
\nhe preferred to rent a minibus along with his wife and friends
\nwho are going to a similar destination for reasons of
\npracticality and comfort. They will have to pay Rp 2 million for
\nthe minibus, which will take them to their hometown in Pemalang,
\nCentral Java and later bring them back to the city after Idul
\nFitri.<\/p>\n
Like last year, Yono's family and friends will split the Rp 2
\nmillion fee between eight to 10 people. On normal days, a bus
\nticket to their hometown would only cost Rp 20,000.<\/p>\n
"It's practical and we can travel with friends. Plus, its
\nguaranteed that we will be able to leave and return on our chosen
\ndate," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/car-rental-may-soar-during-lebaran-1447893297",
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