On Saturday (7/26), as many as 2,750 homecomers with 1,200 motorcycles have been departed through free homecoming program at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, using Ciremai ship.

The free homecomers program is conducted to minimize traffic congestion in Pantura area during homecoming season

Despite the Ciremai ship was scheduled to depart at 4 PM, yet the homecomers have started entering the port since morning. The ship owned by PT Pelni will depart from the Tanjung Priok Port towards Tanjung Emas, Semarang.

"The free homecomers program is conducted to minimize traffic congestion in Pantura area during homecoming season," said Supervisor of Tanjung Priok Port Passenger Terminal, Syawaludin, Saturday (7/26).

Syawaludin expressed that such program is a government program through General Directorate of Sea Transportation for Transportation Ministry that cooperates with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).

He disclosed that the program aims to help people, especially biker homecomers, thus can travel to their hometown safely. "During the trip, the passengers also get various facilities, such as meals for breaking the fast and pre-dawn meal, doctors and medicine as well as safety insurance," he told.

Previously, Thursday (7/24), General Directorate of Sea Transportation for Transportation Ministry has departed 1,537 motorcycles and 3,205 people transported by the Ciremai and Niki Sae ships heading to Tanjung Emas.

While for returning flows will be held on August 2-4 with Tanjung Emas Port-Semarang-Tanjung Priok route.

Not only that, the government plans to provide one ship this year, Makasar ship with Tanjung Priok Port-Tanjung Emas Port route supported by the State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Pelindo II and III.

Sri, (36), one of free homecoming program participants admitted she was greatly helped by this program. The reason is she and family could save money. "This program is really helped us, especially I also bring my children. Moreover, I can save my money considering bus tariff is very expensive, "said Sri.