Central Java Provincial Government Ready to Transport Thousands of Homeward Travellers Free from TMII

Hundreds of bus fleets began arriving at the parking area of the Purna Bhakti Pertiwi Museum in the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah area, East Jakarta, on Sunday, 15 March 2026. The buses were prepared to transport thousands of Central Java residents in the Free Eid Homeward Travel programme organised by the Central Java Provincial Government, scheduled for Monday, 16 March 2026.

“Buses have been arriving since this morning. In total, there are 325 buses entering TMII. According to standards, buses have already undergone technical inspections by the respective regional transportation departments,” said Risturino, Acting Head of the Central Java Provincial Transportation Agency.

The hundreds of buses comprised 70 units from the Central Java Provincial Government, 175 units from district and city governments across Central Java, 53 units from Bank Jateng, 17 units from PT Jasa Raharja, eight buses from PT Semen Gresik, and one bus each from Perum Perumnas and PT Tirta Investama.

The number of free homeward travel participants this year has increased compared to the previous year. This is evident from the increase in the fleet, which originally numbered 289 and has grown to 325 in 2026. A total of 16,186 migrants are registered to participate. “The most common homeward travel destinations are Wonogiri, Surakarta, Grobogan, and Banjarnegara. On average, their occupations are motorcycle taxi drivers, domestic workers, and labourers earning below Rp5 million,” he explained.

Risturino added that public enthusiasm for participating in the free homeward travel programme is very high. This is evidenced by the registration quota being filled within 25 minutes. “Online registration was immediately exhausted,” he said.

The departure point for free homeward travel by bus is not only from Jakarta but also from Bandung. For departures from Bandung, there are a total of 23 buses with a capacity of approximately 1,133 passengers. These consist of 11 buses from Baznas Jateng, two buses from Banjarnegara District, seven buses from Cilacap District, and three buses from Sukoharjo District. They are planned to depart under the supervision of Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen on Monday, 16 March 2026 at 12.00 WIB.

Additionally, the Central Java Provincial Government is also organising free homeward travel in 2026 using railway transport, departing on 17 March 2026. There are a total of 17 train services with 1,288 seats. Divided into two departures: first, from Pasar Senen Station Jakarta to Solo Balapan Station, with 8 train services or 576 seats using the Jaka Tingkir train and 1 additional service of 72 seats. Secondly, from Pasar Senen Station Jakarta to Poncol Station Semarang with 8 train services or 640 seats using the Tawang Jaya train.

Previously, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that the free homeward travel programme was an effort to provide services and demonstrate the provincial and district/city governments’ attention to Central Java residents abroad.

“I ask the regents and mayors to join in welcoming them there and greeting the residents who will return to their home villages. They are our representatives abroad and most are informal workers. We provide the best service for our people; this is a manifestation of our public service,” he said.