Transport Society Opposes Free Homecoming Program

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Chairman of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Danang Parikesit said that the group is opposed to the free mudik (Eid Day homecoming) program - a program of providing free buses - provided both by the government and private companies.

According to Danang, the program disrupts the order of homecoming with regular modes of transportation.

“Transportation modes, the regular transportation modes, under the management of he Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) must be empowered,” Danang said in South Jakarta on Saturday (20/6).

He went on to say that the government could use Organda transportation modes scattered all across the country.

“Two years ago, we calculated and found out there are many buses that were not used outside Java. It was around 30 percent,” Danang said.

He also considered that the government should capitalize on such condition to meet the needs of those who travel during the homecoming season in Java.

Therefore, he advised the government to bring Organda transportation modes outside Java to Java to be used during the Eid Holiday season.

“They should be brought to Java during Eid Day holiday and be given temporary permits. They can be transported with ships,” he said.

He further said that those innovations should be done by the government in coping with the surge in the number of passengers during the Eid holiday season, instead of only adding armadas or streets every year.

The suggestion, he said, can also avoid the drop in the number of passengers using regular transportation modes due to the free Homecoming program.

MAYA NAWANGWULAN