Governor of North Sumatra Dispatches 6,500 Participants in Free Mudik Eid Al-Fitr Programme

Medan — North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution dispatched more than 6,500 participants in the Free Mudik Eid Al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah/2026 Programme in collaboration with the North Sumatra Provincial Government.

“We at the Provincial Government wish to help reduce the number of homebound travellers using private vehicles,” Bobby said after symbolically dispatching the travellers at Medan Grand Railway Station on Monday.

Additionally, Bobby noted, the Free Mudik Eid Al-Fitr programme also reduces travel costs for North Sumatra residents.

The measure is expected to improve traffic flow and simultaneously reduce accident rates during the homecoming season.

“Particularly since we in North Sumatra rank tenth nationally as a point of origin for homebound travellers and sixth as a travel destination,” Bobby stated.

The governor noted that according to government predictions, approximately 143 million journeys will occur during the mudik season, with 52 per cent of travellers using private vehicles.

Based on data from the North Sumatra Provincial Transport Office, travellers using private vehicles still outnumber those using public transport, comprising 52.98 per cent in private cars and 16.74 per cent on motorcycles.

“We are doing this so that traffic flows more smoothly, accident rates decline, and of course to reduce mudik transportation costs,” Bobby said.

The governor also urged all transport service providers to maintain safety and comfort standards for both the homecoming journey and return journey.

“To transport service providers, maintain safety and comfort. The high usage of private vehicles is because public transport still lags in competitiveness. This is a key task for the North Sumatra Provincial Government,” Bobby remarked.

Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan, Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Transport Office, announced that six free mudik routes were available: Medan–Sosa, Medan–Padangsidimpuan, Medan–Gunungtua, Medan–Barus, Medan–Penyabungan, and Medan–Salak.

Additionally, maritime services were provided via ship from Batam Port to Belawan Port, as well as ferry services on the Sibolga–Nias route and vice versa.

“We hope this measure can reduce traffic congestion, decrease vehicle volume, and lower transportation costs for mudik travellers,” Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan said.