Struggling Earnings Push Online Taxi Drivers to Embrace Free Homecoming Programme

JAKARTA — Numerous ride-hailing drivers have expressed appreciation for free homecoming programmes offered by ride-sharing applications amid declining earnings.

One such driver, Eko, 47, from North Jakarta, plans to return to Semarang with his wife and child on 16 March 2026. “Daily income has really dropped. Sometimes it’s only 150,000 or 180,000 rupiah. When it rains, that’s what I get. When it’s hot like now, I can still make 200,000 rupiah or more, but that’s before expenses,” Eko said at Pulogebang Terminal on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Previously, he could earn more than 250,000 rupiah daily. “Since 2017 it’s been tough. With cost-cutting measures, things have gotten worse. Pickup locations are far away — two or three kilometres — but the fare is only 10,000 or 12,000 rupiah,” he added.

Due to these challenging conditions, Eko declines orders during the evening rush hour before sunset prayers. He attributes his struggle to heavy traffic and inadequate fares relative to the distance travelled. “During that time, customers complain, and many drivers go offline. Especially when orders are food deliveries — it’s exhausting,” he said.

Another driver, Dado, 52, echoed similar sentiments. “Yes, I didn’t go home last year. Income has been tight. Gojek drivers like us earn only 100,000 rupiah profit daily, and we’re grateful for that,” Dado said at Pulogebang Terminal on Friday, 13 March 2026. He has supplemented his income by working as a neighbourhood security guard.

Thousands of ride-hailing drivers are participating in the free homecoming programme organised by ride-sharing applications. According to Kompas.com’s observations, approximately 4,000 drivers will be dispatched to various destinations across West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Sumatra, including Kuningan, Semarang, Surabaya, Lampung, and Palembang.