Free Return Journey Programme for People with Disabilities in Jakarta Sends Off 268 Travellers
Jakarta — The National Zakat Alms Agency (Baznas) Jakarta Provincial Branch has dispatched 268 homeward-bound travellers using six buses through the “Mudik Bareng Teman Disabilitas” (Return Journey with Friends with Disabilities) programme during this year’s Lebaran holiday.
Muhammad Bahaudin, Head of Distribution and Empowerment at Baznas/Bazis DKI Jakarta, stated that of this total, 140 people from 47 households departed via the northern route, whilst 128 others from 50 households travelled the southern route.
“In total, 97 households across six buses. 47 households via the northern route with three buses, and 50 households via the southern route with three buses,” Bahaudin said when contacted in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The departure of these travellers took place on Tuesday at Monas Silang Field in Central Jakarta, coinciding with the Free Return Journey Programme organised by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Bahaudin noted that the number of buses this year was significantly higher than the previous year, which only provided four buses serving 55 households (175 people) comprising individuals with physical, visual, and hearing disabilities.
The 2026 return journey routes under this programme are divided into two main corridors: the northern and southern routes. The northern route covers Jakarta-Indramayu-Cirebon-Tegal-Pemalang-Pekalongan-Semarang-Boyolali-Yogyakarta-Solo-Surabaya, whilst the southern route encompasses Jakarta-Garut-Tasikmalaya-Banjar-Cilacap-Purwokerto-Purworejo-Yogyakarta-Solo-Surabaya.
DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the number of free return journey participants this year has increased significantly compared to the previous year, reflecting growing public demand for safe and affordable transportation services.
“The number of free return journey participants this year has reached over 33,000 people, representing approximately a 34 per cent increase compared to last year,” Pramono stated.
To support the programme’s implementation, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has deployed 744 buses to serve the outbound and return traffic, with a combined capacity exceeding 35,000 passengers.
Additionally, motorcycle transportation services have been provided to reduce the risks associated with long-distance travel using two-wheeled vehicles.
The 2026 Free Return Journey Programme serves 20 cities and regencies distributed across six provinces, including Lampung, South Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java.