The Jakarta Provincial Government has released 12,000 travelers who took part in the Free Mudik (exodus) program at Silang Monas, Central Jakarta, Thursday (4/4).

This is an effort to reduce the number of accidents during mudik trips

Those travelers were symbolically released by City Secretary, Joko Agus Setyono together with City Secretary's Economic and Finance Assistant, Sri Haryati; Kodam Jaya Military Police Commander, Brih. Gen. CPM Irsyad Hamdie Bey Anwar; and Polda Metro Jaya Traffic Vice Director, AKPB Doni Hermawan.

According to him, the free mudik program is the Jakarta Government's effort to minimize traffic accidents on the mudik route ahead of Idul Fitri 1445 Hijri.

"This is an effort to reduce the number of accidents during mudik trips, especially for travelers using motorbikes. And also as a form of the Jakarta Government's commitment to providing easy and safe modes of transportation during the Idul Fitri celebrations," he expressed, in the Jakarta Government's press release.

Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) provieded 485 buses to carry travelers for mudik flow and returning flow. Previously, on Wednesday (4/3) at Pulogadung Terminal, East Jakarta, some 12 trucks transported 335 motorbikes to six destination cities, namely Semarang, Kebumen, Solo, Jogja, Wonogiri, and Malang.

"The governor wants bus drivers to be careful, always carry out vehicle checks. Then obey traffic rules and do not speed with other vehicles. He also urged passengers to maintain cleanliness and order on the bus so that the travel atmosphere is safe and comfortable," he explained.

Jakarta Dishub Head, Syafrin Liputo explained the free mudik 2024 was realized in several parties, namely TNI and police. Today, some 279 buses had been departed to 19 cities/districts in six provinces.

"For today's departure, there are 12,170 travelers, while 206 buses for returning flow that will carry 9,186 travelers," he explained.

One of the passengers from Malang, Ridwansyah, was grateful, as he had the opportunity to take mudik trip without having to pay money to buy a ticket.

"I went home with my wife and children to Malang, so there were three of us. Once we join the program, it means we can save the money that would have been used to buy tickets so we can use it for something else, such as distributing our good fortune to our nephews," he explained.

He hoped that this program could become a routine agenda to help people in need to return to their hometowns.

"Hope it can be held every year," he hoped.

Here are the 19 destination cities for the Free Mudik 2024 program:

- Lampung Province: Bandar Lampung

- South Sumatera: Palembang

- West Java: Tasikmalaya and Kuningan

- Central Java: Tegal, Pekalongan, Semarang, Kebumen, Cilacap, Purwokerto, Solo, Wonogiri, Wonosobo, and Sragen

- Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY) : Yogyakarta

- East Java: Madiun, Kediri, Jombang, and Malang