Central Java Provincial Government Free Return to Hometown Programme Reaches 21,975 People

Similar activities were also held at Mangkang Terminal in Semarang City and Bulupitu Terminal in Banyumas Regency. Luthfi stated that the free mudik and return to hometown programme represents the state’s presence to ease the burden on migrants, especially informal sector workers. “The state needs to be present to provide facilities, not only during mudik but also upon return,” Luthfi said in his statement on Saturday (28/3/2026). Luthfi emphasised that the programme is not merely a transportation service but an effort to preserve the mudik tradition while helping migrants return home without the burden of travel costs. With the government covering travel expenses, they can use their savings for family needs in their hometowns. He added that the beneficiaries are generally informal workers, from bakso vendors and factory workers to ojek drivers, construction workers, and small traders. For them, round-trip travel costs represent a significant expense that can heavily burden family finances. “With the state providing this contribution, even if small, it is very valuable to them,” Luthfi said. Luthfi explained that the free mudik and return also has other impacts, such as helping to manage traffic so that travellers’ journeys are more orderly, concentrated, and monitored. “With coordinated group mudik from a traffic perspective, the movement of travellers becomes more concentrated and monitored, thus minimising black spots or high-risk points related to traffic,” he said. He also urged Central Java residents returning to their hometowns to maintain their work spirit and uphold the good name of their home region. “Central Java people are hardworking, polite, and tolerant,” Luthfi added. Head of the Central Java Provincial Transportation Agency Arif Djatmiko said the Free Return to Hometown programme is a manifestation of the government’s presence for Central Java residents migrating to Jabodetabek and Bandung, especially those working in the informal sector, so they can obtain reliable, easy, safe, and comfortable transportation. “This Free Return to Hometown is a manifestation of the government’s presence, particularly for Central Java residents migrating to Jabodetabek and Bandung, to ensure they get reliable, easy, safe, and comfortable transportation,” he explained. He added that public enthusiasm for the programme was very high. Registration, opened from 13 to 14 March 2026, filled up in a short time. “Registration for the Return to Hometown was held from 13 to 14 March 2026. It filled up in just 10 minutes,” he said. For information, in the 2026 Free Return to Hometown Programme, the Central Java Provincial Government prepared a total of 84 bus fleets with a capacity of 4,181 passengers, as well as 4 train carriages with a capacity of 320 passengers. The train mode was departed earlier on 27 March 2026 from Tawang Station, Semarang, to Pasar Senen Station, Jakarta, using the Tawang Jaya Premium train. Of the total bus fleets, 41 buses departed from Donohudan Hajj Dormitory, 21 buses from Bulupitu Terminal in Banyumas, 11 buses from Mangkang Terminal in Semarang, and 11 buses via independent departures in Magelang, Kendal, Kudus, and Blora. The destinations include 76 buses heading to Pulo Gebang Integrated Terminal in Jakarta and 8 buses to Bandung. Previously, the Central Java Provincial Government also ran a free mudik programme. Overall, this year’s mudik-return to hometown free programme by the Central Java Provincial Government reaches 21,975 people, consisting of 1,288 mudik train passengers, 16,186 mudik bus passengers, 320 return train passengers, and 4,181 return bus passengers. To ensure travel safety, all fleets and crew have undergone worthiness checks or ramp checks before departure.