Senen Station Porters Earn Well During Mudik Season, Carrying Goods up to 15 Times Daily

Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta was crowded with Mudik Lebaran travellers today. Porters carrying railway goods were working considerably busier than usual.

One such porter is Khamid, who has worked at Pasar Senen Station since 1999. He reported being able to transport goods as many as 15 times, significantly more than on regular days when he typically makes only 5–7 trips.

“Usually on regular days it’s about 5, maybe 7 at most, but during this season it can be 15,” said Khamid when met at Pasar Senen Station on Monday (16 March 2026).

Khamid reported earning up to Rp 200,000 during the Mudik Lebaran season. This income is considerably higher compared to regular days, when he earns only about Rp 100,000 per day.

“During Lebaran like this, yes, whereas on regular days I might earn 100, this is double,” said Khamid.

Khamid noted that Lebaran is indeed an opportunity for him to earn substantial income. Beyond Lebaran, long holiday periods present further opportunities for increased earnings.

“Yes, Lebaran, holidays, those are profitable,” he said.

Despite being occupied with porter work, Khamid said he would make time to return to his village in Kebumen, Central Java. He would reserve 1–2 days to visit his family there.

“Yes, I’ll go to the village. It would be sad if my children didn’t see their father, wouldn’t it? We manage to spare a day or two and then go back to work,” he said.