Car rental may soar during 'Lebaran'

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.