Car rental may soar during 'Lebaran'

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Car rental companies will be doing brisk business during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday, as those who can afford to prefer to rent minibuses to transport them to their hometown.

As queuing along with thousands of other commuters and ticket scalpers at railway and bus stations dampens one's holiday spirit, some turn to the comfort of rented cars in spite of the extra cost.

Some car rentals companies offer limited vehicles for daily rental, but most offer Idul Fitri or Lebaran packages. At smaller companies, minibuses are rented for about Rp 3 million (US$ 307.50) for a 10-day trip, while the larger ones are offering packages that start at Rp 4 million.

According to rental companies' staff, orders have been coming in since the beginning of Ramadhan, both from new customers and those who used their service last year.

"Every year, the number of orders increases during this time. So far, we already have more than 100 bookings," said Ari Agus, supervisor of Astra rent-a-car, which has about 200 cars.

Astra offers a Lebaran package starting at Rp 4 million for seven days, while daily rental charges start at Rp 770,000 for twelve hours usage.

Meanwhile, although bookings haven't exactly been pouring in at the smaller car rental businesses, CIP car rental, is optimistic they will still be able to make a profit from the holiday season, just as they did last year.

"I dare say more than 60 percent of Jakartans plan to visit their hometowns in Java over Lebaran; we will still get our share," Diana, an employee at CIP said.

Her company, has about 20 bookings so far. Most are due to depart a week before the holiday.

Yono, 30, a domestic helper in Menteng, Central Jakarta, said he preferred to rent a minibus along with his wife and friends who are going to a similar destination for reasons of practicality and comfort. They will have to pay Rp 2 million for the minibus, which will take them to their hometown in Pemalang, Central Java and later bring them back to the city after Idul Fitri.

Like last year, Yono's family and friends will split the Rp 2 million fee between eight to 10 people. On normal days, a bus ticket to their hometown would only cost Rp 20,000.

"It's practical and we can travel with friends. Plus, its guaranteed that we will be able to leave and return on our chosen date," he said.