West Nusa Tenggara Province Prepares 14 Buses for 400 Passengers in 2026 Free Eid Holiday Travel Programme
The West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government (Pemprov NTB) has prepared 14 buses to transport 400 residents of NTB in a free Eid holiday travel programme to Sumbawa Island during the 1447 Hijri Eid break. Of the 400 passengers registered, 320 have completed re-registration.
“Re-registration of the 400 applicants has reached more than 320 out of the 400 registered in accordance with quota,” said Head of Land Transport at NTB Transport Department Khaerus Sobri when contacted on Friday (13/3/2026).
Sobri explained that the NTB Transport Department is still waiting for registered participants to complete re-registration. If by the specified deadline there are still empty seats, the department will seek additional passengers to fill the 400-seat quota.
“If by tomorrow no one registers for re-registration, we must take action to find additional passengers for the free Eid travel programme so that the 400-passenger quota is fulfilled,” he explained.
According to Sobri, this year’s free travel programme has doubled compared to 2025. Last year only 200 seats were available. He noted that this year’s free travel programme differs significantly from last Ramadan in terms of bus quality and quantity.
“Last year 200 seats, this year 400 seats, a 100 per cent increase,” Sobri stated.
The free travel programme prioritises students and university students who are assessed as needing transport support to return to their hometowns on Sumbawa Island.
Travellers will depart from the NTB Governor’s Office to various areas on Sumbawa Island, including West Sumbawa Regency, Sumbawa Regency, Dompu Regency, Bima Regency, and Bima City.
“So there are formations covering all regencies and cities on Sumbawa Island: West Sumbawa, Sumbawa, Dompu, Bima City and Bima Regency,” Sobri said.
During the journey, Pemprov NTB also ensures the comfort and safety of participants. All vehicles used have passed roadworthiness inspections or ramp checks.
“All vehicles are ensured to have passed ramp checks during the inspections,” he said.
Additionally, travellers will receive free meals and iftaar (breaking of fast) meals during the journey. All passengers also receive insurance protection during the journey, guaranteed by Jasa Raharja insurance.
Sobri hopes the free travel programme can continue to be implemented every year with quotas adjusted according to public interest. However, Pemprov NTB has not yet provided a free return journey programme as it is difficult to accommodate the return schedules of passengers.
“We are not providing return journey transport because it is difficult to coordinate when passengers will return. So we only facilitate the outbound journey,” he concluded.