Governor Andra Soni Launches 990 Participants in Banten Provincial Government's Free Homecoming Programme

Banten Governor Andra Soni launched 990 participants in the free homecoming programme organised by the Banten Provincial Government. A total of 22 buses were dispatched from Serang City Square to various destinations on Java and Sumatra.

In addition to facilitating Banten residents, the Provincial Government also provided four special buses to pick up students from Banten studying in Bandung and Yogyakarta. They arrived on Saturday (14/3/2026) and joined the free homecoming departure.

“This is a routine activity that we carry out to provide free homecoming for the community,” said Andra Soni in Serang on Wednesday (18/3/2026).

Andra hopes that the homecoming participants can arrive at their destinations safely so they can gather with their families during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah moment.

“The most important thing is that (the participants) can also return to Banten without even one missing,” he added.

On that occasion, Governor Andra Soni also symbolically handed over gift packages from Bank Banten to one of the participants. In addition, the homecomers received facilities in the form of T-shirts as well as iftar menus and dinner.

The Head of the Transportation Agency (Dishub) of Banten Province, Tri Nurtopo, explained that of the total 22 buses operated this year, two of them are the result of cooperation with Jasa Raharja.

“For the Padang route, we are cooperating (with Jasa Raharja),” he said.

Met separately, a homecomer from Cikande, Tatang Permana (53), said he was grateful for the opportunity. Usually, he and his son go home using public transport. However, because ticket prices have surged, he tried to join the Provincial Government’s programme.

“This is the first time I’ve joined, sir. My child registered. Usually we always take public transport, but this year the tickets are quite high, so we chose to join the free homecoming,” he said.

Khoirunnisa (44), a Tangerang resident going home with her husband and two children to Padang, West Sumatra, said something similar. According to her, the programme is very helpful in alleviating the family’s financial burden, which only relies on her husband’s wages as a factory worker.

“If using public transport now, it’s around Rp900,000 per person for a one-way trip. That doesn’t include meals during the journey. With this free homecoming, everything is facilitated,” Nisa revealed.

She also expressed appreciation to the Banten Provincial Government and hopes similar programmes continue every year to help middle to lower-income communities.

“This is very helpful. Thank you, Governor Andra Soni and Deputy Governor Dimyati Natakusumah,” she concluded.