1,458 Bekasi Residents Participate in Free Mudik Programme, Mayor: To Enable Low-Income Residents to Return Home

BEKASI — A total of 1,458 residents of Bekasi City participated in a free mudik (homecoming) programme organised by the Bekasi City Government to return to their hometowns ahead of Eid 2026.

Participants departed from Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium in South Bekasi District on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

Bekasi Mayor Tri Adhianto stated that the programme aims not only to reduce traffic congestion and prevent potential road accidents during the Eid mudik season, but also to assist low-income residents in returning to their hometowns with proper transportation.

“This also helps residents with lower incomes so they can certainly obtain good, comfortable, and safe vehicle facilities,” Tri told reporters at the location on Sunday.

The free mudik programme was implemented six days before the start of the peak Eid travel period to allow participants to depart earlier and enjoy a more comfortable journey.

Additionally, relatively smooth traffic conditions were expected to enable participants to arrive at their hometowns safely and reunite with their families during Eid celebrations.

Tri stated that authorities had inspected all buses and drivers on duty to ensure travel safety.

“We ensured that the vehicles and drivers have been inspected,” said Tri.

The mayor explained that the free mudik programme provided by the local government only applies to outbound journeys to hometowns.

According to him, providing transportation for the return journey is more difficult to organise because participants typically do not return at uniform times.

“I think the consideration is somewhat difficult to organise. Because the destinations are not at a single point,” he said.

One participant, Maman (50), a resident of Rawalumbu in Bekasi City, said he had participated in the free mudik programme organised by the local government three times.