Thousands of Bekasi Residents Participate in Free Mudik 2026 Programme, 27 Buses Depart from Patriot Stadium

BEKASI — Thousands of residents from Bekasi City are preparing to participate in a free mudik programme organised by the Bekasi City Government for the Lebaran exodus of 2026.

As observed by Kompas.com at the location, programme participants began assembling from 06:00 WIB at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium in South Bekasi on Sunday morning, 15 March 2026. A number of participants arrived with family members whilst carrying bags and suitcases containing belongings for their journey home to their hometowns.

In the stadium car park, dozens of buses were lined up neatly and ready to depart for various destinations across Central and East Java. Through the Bekasi City Transportation Department, the Bekasi City Government has prepared a total of 27 bus fleets to transport the free mudik programme participants this year.

Maman, 50, a resident of Rawalumbu, Bekasi City, is one of the mudik participants who has taken part in the free mudik programme organised by the local government three times previously. He considers the programme extremely helpful to the community, particularly in reducing travel costs ahead of Lebaran.

“The programme is comfortable and also saves money. For three people, we can save around Rp1.2 million,” Maman told Kompas.com on Sunday. He noted that he had made various preparations before departing with his family, ranging from maintaining his health to setting aside money to bring to his hometown.

“The main preparations are health-related, and then savings to bring to the village for distributing holiday allowances to nephews and nieces,” he said.

He expressed hope that the free mudik programme could continue and that its quota would be increased so that more people could benefit from it.

“In my view, this is very beneficial for families who are less well-off. If possible, the quota should be increased further,” he said.

At the same location, officials also conducted further inspections of the drivers who would operate the bus fleets. A number of officials from the Bekasi City Transportation Department were seen assisting mudik participants with their travel preparations, ranging from directing passengers to ensuring the departure process ran in an orderly manner.

This free mudik programme is one of the Bekasi City Government’s efforts to help residents return to their hometowns safely whilst reducing congestion from private vehicles during the Lebaran mudik period.