Hundreds of Buses Arrive at TMII, Ready to Transport Thousands of Central Java Residents Home for Free

Based on observations at the location, the committee was seen actively preparing buses for transporting homebound passengers. Each bus entering the location underwent inspection of its registration number and destination, along with verification of safety checks completed by the Transportation Department. A total of 325 buses have been assembled at TMII Jakarta for the 2026 free homecoming programme.

“Buses have been arriving since this morning. A total of 325 buses entered TMII. According to standard procedures, all buses have undergone safety checks by the respective Transportation Departments,” said Acting Head of Central Java Provincial Transportation Agency Risturino in a written statement on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

The hundreds of buses comprise 70 units from the Central Java Provincial Government, 175 units from regency and municipal governments across Central Java, 53 units from Bank Jateng, 17 units from PT Jasa Raharja, eight buses from PT Semen Gresik, and one bus each from Perum Perumnas and PT Tirta Investama.

The number of free homecoming participants this year has increased compared to the previous year. The increase results from fleet expansion from 289 buses in 2025 to 325 in 2026. As planned, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi will send off the homebound convoys on Monday morning, 16 March 2026, at 09:00 WIB.

“A total of 16,186 passengers have registered. The main homecoming destinations are Wonogiri, Surakarta, Grobogan, and Banjarnegara. Most participants work as online motorcycle taxi drivers, domestic workers, and labourers earning below Rp5 million monthly,” Risturino explained.

Risturino added that public enthusiasm for the free homecoming programme is exceptionally high, evidenced by online registration slots being exhausted within 25 minutes.

“Online registration sold out immediately,” said Risturino.

The departure point for the free homecoming bus service is not limited to Jakarta but also includes Bandung. For those departing from Bandung, a total of 23 buses will carry approximately 1,133 passengers.

These comprise 11 buses from Baznas Jateng, two buses from Banjarnegara Regency, seven buses from Cilacap Regency, and three buses from Sukoharjo Regency. These are scheduled to depart on Monday, 16 March 2026, at 12:00 WIB, sent off by Vice Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen.

Additionally, the Central Java Provincial Government is also organising the 2026 free homecoming programme using railway transport. This service is scheduled to depart on 17 March 2026.

A total of 17 train sets with 1,288 seats are allocated. These are divided into two departure schedules: first, from Pasar Senen Station Jakarta to Solo Balapan Station, with 8 train sets or 576 seats using the Jaka Tingkir train and 1 additional train set with 72 seats.

Second, from Pasar Senen Station Jakarta to Poncol Station Semarang with 8 train sets or 640 seats using the Tawang Jaya train.

Earlier, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that the free homecoming programme represents an effort to provide services and demonstrate the provincial and regency/municipal governments’ attention to Central Java residents working abroad.

Therefore, he invited regents and mayors to assist in welcoming their residents departing for home from the Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi region.

“I ask regents and mayors to welcome their residents there and greet the people returning to their home villages. They are our representatives abroad and most are informal sector workers,” said Luthfi.

“We provide the best service to our people; this is the embodiment of our dedication,” he added.

Meanwhile, a bus driver named Widodo said he has prepared everything to ensure smooth operations whilst transporting homebound passengers. This includes vehicle inspections, physical preparedness, and adequate rest.

“The bus has been checked, passed inspection, and has the safety check sticker installed. There has also been health testing. Each bus has two crew members plus a standby driver,” said Widodo.

This is the fifth year he has driven free homecoming passengers from Jakarta to various locations in Central Java. Widodo expressed happiness with the role, noting that he previously experienced the lengthy process of purchasing tickets for homebound travel himself.

“I also feel happy about it; I once experienced queuing to buy tickets, and now I can transport them home. This year I’m driving passengers to Demak; last year to Semarang; previously to Solo and Wonogiri,” he concluded.