Jakarta Provincial Government plans to continue and expand Free Homecoming Program next year. This plan is stated by Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan when welcoming 43 representatives of this year's Free Homecoming Program participants at Jakarta City Hall, Jalan Merdeka Selatan, Gambir, Central Jakarta on Wednesday (6/12).

Insya Allah, next year we will continue this program and expand it thus more people can join this program

"Insya Allah, we will continue this program and expand it thus more people can join this program. Currently, we provide round-trip transport to carry passengers from Jakarta to their hometown and vice versa," mentioned Anies, on Wednesday (6/12).

One of the participants named Bambang Heriyanto said, he uses this chance to return to hometown together with his wife and children.

"At first, I don't have money to return to hometown. But Free Homecoming Program from Jakarta Government makes it possible for us to go to meet our parents in our hometown this year," he conveyed.

Other participants, Tukimin admitted that previously he didn't have a chance to return to his hometown for the past three years and try to use this Free Homecoming Program for this year.

"Its service is also good. Besides, it is free of charge, so we can use the money for Eid needs," he added.

In this chance, the representatives conveyed their ideas and inputs about this program. They hope it can be better next year. Some of their ideas are to provide snacks, takjil (desserts to break the fast), toilet inside the bus, and others.

"Thank you for your recommendations. Insya Allah we can meet again next year. We will improve this program thus it can be better next year and make participants more comfortable," Anies asserted.

For information, Jakarta Government's budget for Free Homecoming Program reaches Rp 14 Billion to rent passenger bus for round-trip route, 62 trucks to transport homecomers' motorbikes, tax payment, security, event organizer and others.

In this program, Jakarta Government deploys 594 buses in total with maximum capacity of 54 passengers for each bus. 372 buses are used to transport passengers from Jakarta to 10 different destinations: Ciamis, Kuningan, Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang, Kebumen, Solo, Wonogiri, Yogyakarta, and Jombang; and 222 buses for return trip to Jakarta.