The Tears of Inter-City Bus Drivers Behind the Echo of Takbir: Driving While Suppressing Longing for Family
JAKARTA — In the midst of the dense homecoming traffic accompanied by the echo of takbir piercing the night of Eid al-Fitr, there is a feeling of sadness and longing that quietly settles behind the wheel of inter-city buses (AKAP).
Even as their hearts grow heavy with longing for family, the hands of AKAP bus drivers must remain alert, steering carefully to safely deliver thousands of homebound travellers to their respective hometowns.
The following day, whilst other families embrace each other during the festivities, AKAP bus drivers resume their journeys, speeding along long toll roads to pick up and transport more travellers from cities to villages and vice versa.
One AKAP bus driver, Yayat (52), admits he has not celebrated Eid at home with his family for decades. “I always celebrate Eid on the road, marking the takbir on the road for 26 years because I have to,” Yayat said when interviewed by Kompas.com at Tanjung Priok Terminal in North Jakarta on Monday (16 March 2026).
Having worked as an AKAP bus driver for decades, Yayat is required to work during Eid. If he takes time off, he faces disciplinary action from his company.
Although accustomed to celebrating Eid on the road, he admits he never stops crying when he must work whilst hearing the takbir of Eid. “Whilst driving with the takbir playing, I cry often. It is very sad,” he added.
His profession as an AKAP bus driver requires him to celebrate Eid later with his family. About five to one week after Eid, Yayat finally gets to go home to miss his family. During the homecoming period, he must work seven days before and after Eid, so he cannot return home.
Fortunately, Yayat’s family has accepted the risks of his work and does not protest. “My family never protests. What can they do? They are the family of a bus driver. We cannot even make it to Eid prayers,” he said.
For this reason, he simply tries to carry out his work with sincerity and to the best of his ability. “My family understands that my life on the road is to provide for them. That is why I carry out my duties sincerely and as best as I can, with patience,” said another driver, Rahwono, when interviewed by Kompas.com at Tanjung Priok Terminal in North Jakarta on Monday.
Having worked as a bus driver for nearly 30 years, the man from Batang, Central Java, has experienced both the hardships and rewards of life on the road.