Banten Governor Andra Soni launched 990 participants in the free\nhomecoming programme organised by the Banten Provincial Government. A\ntotal of 22 buses were dispatched from Serang City Square to various\ndestinations on Java and Sumatra.<\/p>\n
In addition to facilitating Banten residents, the Provincial\nGovernment also provided four special buses to pick up students from\nBanten studying in Bandung and Yogyakarta. They arrived on Saturday\n(14\/3\/2026) and joined the free homecoming departure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a routine activity that we carry out to provide free\nhomecoming for the community,\u201d said Andra Soni in Serang on Wednesday\n(18\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
Andra hopes that the homecoming participants can arrive at their\ndestinations safely so they can gather with their families during the\nEid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is that (the participants) can also return\nto Banten without even one missing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
On that occasion, Governor Andra Soni also symbolically handed over\ngift packages from Bank Banten to one of the participants. In addition,\nthe homecomers received facilities in the form of T-shirts as well as\niftar menus and dinner.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Transportation Agency (Dishub) of Banten Province,\nTri Nurtopo, explained that of the total 22 buses operated this year,\ntwo of them are the result of cooperation with Jasa Raharja.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the Padang route, we are cooperating (with Jasa Raharja),\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Met separately, a homecomer from Cikande, Tatang Permana (53), said\nhe was grateful for the opportunity. Usually, he and his son go home\nusing public transport. However, because ticket prices have surged, he\ntried to join the Provincial Government\u2019s programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve joined, sir. My child registered.\nUsually we always take public transport, but this year the tickets are\nquite high, so we chose to join the free homecoming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Khoirunnisa (44), a Tangerang resident going home with her husband\nand two children to Padang, West Sumatra, said something similar.\nAccording to her, the programme is very helpful in alleviating the\nfamily\u2019s financial burden, which only relies on her husband\u2019s wages as a\nfactory worker.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf using public transport now, it\u2019s around Rp900,000 per person for\na one-way trip. That doesn\u2019t include meals during the journey. With this\nfree homecoming, everything is facilitated,\u201d Nisa revealed.<\/p>\n
She also expressed appreciation to the Banten Provincial Government\nand hopes similar programmes continue every year to help middle to\nlower-income communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is very helpful. Thank you, Governor Andra Soni and Deputy\nGovernor Dimyati Natakusumah,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/governor-andra-soni-launches-990-participants-in-banten-provincial-governments-free-homecoming-programme-1773838335", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }