Empty Buses Expose Flaws in Free Mudik Programme for 2026
A transport observer and chairman of the Indonesian Transport Association (MTI), Haris Muhammadun, has highlighted problems in the implementation of the free mudik (homecoming) programme for Eid 2026. Haris revealed that the lack of an integrated application has resulted in double registrations, causing many free mudik buses to appear empty despite quotas being full in individual operators’ systems.
“The government has provided various stimulus measures, especially free mudik. However, because it is not done through a single application, often one family member registers with two or three different operators,” Haris stated during the Denpasar Forum Discussion 12, held online on Wednesday (11 March).
Haris expressed regret at this situation given that the free mudik budget comes from the State Budget as well as provincial and district/city regional budgets. He argued that this inefficiency harms other members of the public who genuinely need seats but lose quotas due to some registrants booking multiple services simultaneously.
“This is our policy recommendation. For two years, MTI has been calling for a single application for free mudik, but it has yet to materialise. As a result, sometimes buses depart empty, even though operations use state funds,” Haris said.
Haris urged the government to immediately synchronise systems and establish a National Integrated Eid Transport Information System. He encouraged one-window mudik registration so that migrant worker data can be validated nationally based on identity numbers. This would ensure one person cannot book more than one free mudik service.
“Policy synchronisation is vital to ensure government stimulus is targeted correctly and budget-efficient,” he concluded.
The complex challenges of this year’s mudik movement have been noted, particularly given potential climate crisis threats that could disrupt public mobility.
Road conditions on several routes remain incomplete, a concern in preparations to secure the flow of Eid 2026 traffic in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The peak of the 2026 Eid exodus is predicted to occur in two major waves, driven by workplace flexibility and joint leave periods.
The National Police Traffic Corps has officially established a one-way scheme from kilometre 70 of the Jakarta-Cirebon Toll Road to kilometre 421 in Semarang, commencing 17 March 2026, to ease vehicle congestion. The Jakarta provincial government has temporarily suspended the odd-even vehicle restriction policy on 26 main roads in the capital during the Eid holiday period.