Free Mudik Programme Saves Costs as Residents Urged to Shop in Hometowns
JAKARTA – Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has called upon migrant workers participating in the free mudik (homecoming) programme to spend their savings in their hometowns during Eid celebrations.
According to Luthfi, this approach can help revitalise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and stimulate economic activity in the migrants’ home regions.
“When you return to your respective regions—whether Brebes, Pekalongan, Banyumas, or elsewhere—use the money you save from free transport for shopping at home, in your villages. Keep SMEs alive and ensure people prosper,” Luthfi said when sending off free mudik participants at the Purna Bhakti Pertiwi Museum, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, on Monday 16 March 2026.
During this period, coach fares at various terminals typically experience significant increases.
One free mudik participant, Waluyo (44), said he has directly experienced the programme’s benefits. He runs a food stall in the Jatinegara area of East Jakarta.
By participating in the free mudik programme, Waluyo can save transport costs amounting to millions of rupiah for returning to his wife’s hometown in Rembang, Central Java.
“Usually, mudik fares are around 500,000 rupiah if you’re at a terminal like Kampung Rambutan during Eid season. I usually travel with my wife and two children, so one way costs about two million rupiah. For a round trip, that’s four million,” Waluyo told Kompas.com.
The money saved from bus fares, Waluyo said, will be used to celebrate with family in his hometown. Some funds have already been used to purchase Eid necessities for his family.
“Alhamdulillah, it’s a saving. So the money can be used for Eid celebrations in the village, to give to family there, younger siblings, nieces and nephews, and so on. The money has already been spent—alhamdulillah, we’ve already shopped in Tanah Abang and bought Eid clothes,” he said.
He registered in February, so he no longer needs to worry about return transport costs to the capital.
“My return journey is also already registered, so it’s straightforward. We’ll travel back together. I believe we can head back around H+3 or H+4. It’s also free, courtesy of the Governor and the provincial government,” Waluyo said.
Previously, 326 coaches were dispatched in the free mudik programme from Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta, on Monday morning. The programme was officially launched by Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi to transport tens of thousands of migrants from Central Java in the Jabodetabek area to their hometowns.