Residents' Stories of Free Homecoming Travel: Economic Hardship, Tears Upon Receiving Tickets

JAKARTA — Hundreds of residents participating in various free homecoming travel programmes offered by government agencies crowded Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

Most were set to depart towards East and Central Java starting from 14:30 Western Indonesian Time.

One of them was Sari, 33, a resident of Depok who would be travelling free to Pemalang in Central Java for the homecoming period.

“When I got the ticket yesterday, I was so moved that I cried. I really didn’t expect it,” Sari told Kompas.com reporters.

“Given that our economy is struggling right now, getting a free ticket feels incredibly wonderful,” she continued.

Last year, she and her family had already planned to participate in a free homecoming programme. Through social media and news coverage, the mother of two learned about various free travel options offered by government ministries and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

She had even attempted to register for a free homecoming programme run by a private institution. However, Sari and her family were unsuccessful during the Eid 2025 holiday season.

As a result, her family had to forgo their planned trip to their hometown last year.

She acknowledged that her family’s finances had been struggling for approximately four years. Income came solely from her husband, who works as a market trader.

Meanwhile, her children required substantial educational expenses at school.