Residents Enthusiastic about Participating in Free Homecoming to Surabaya, Lampung to Palembang

The departure of the homecoming travelers was directly released by the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin accompanied by the Director of Technology & Portfolio Management PT. LEN Industri Holding Defense ID Amalia Maya Fitri, West Java Province Forkopimda, West Java Province Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman, and Daily Executive (Plh) Bandung City Regional Secretary, Hikmat Ginanjar at Gedung Sate Bandung, Friday 5 April 2024.

For your information, Defend ID is a state-owned defense industry holding company consisting of PT Len Industri (Persero) as the holding company, with 4 members, namely PT Dahana, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad and PT PAL Indonesia.

A total of 1,150 participants took part in this free homecoming program with a total of 23 bus fleets. The 2024 Defend ID free homecoming provides a departure route by bus from Bandung to several destinations, namely:

1. Bandung - Surabaya: Bandung - Cisumdawu - Cipali Toll - Solo - Ngawi - Madiun - Nganjuk - Jombang - Mojokerto - Surabay (Bungurasih Terminal).

2. Bandung - Solo: Bandung - Cisumdawu - Cipali Toll Road - Kartasura Toll Road - Solo Tirtonadi Terminal.

3. Bandung - Semarang: Bandung - Cisumdawu - Cipali Toll Road - Brebes Jegal - Pemalang - Pekalongan - Kendal - Semarang.

4. Bandung - Yogyakarta: Bandung - Tasikmalaya - Banjar - Ciamis - Majenang - Kebumen - Purworejo - Wates - Yogyakarta.

5. Bandung - Lampung - Palembang: Bandung - Purbaleunyi Toll - Jakarta Cikampek Toll - Tangerang Merak Toll - Crossing - Bakauheni Lampung Toll - Kota Baru Toll - Rajabasa Terminal - Natar Toll - Terbanggi Besar - Kayu Agung Toll - Palembang.

One of the free homecoming participants is Didi Sulaiman (48). He felt very helped by the 2024 Free Homecoming. He, his wife and two children will return to their hometown in Lampung.

"This free homecoming is very helpful, especially since the buses provided are very comfortable," he said.

He revealed that the Bandung-Lampung ticket was around IDR 450,000-IDR 600,000. According to him, the price will continue to increase before Eid al-Fitr, like now. However, with free homecoming, he can save.

No different from Didi Sulaiman, another resident, Muhammad Hanif (35), said he was grateful to be able to take part in this free homecoming program. This year, he and his family were finally able to return home to Surabaya, East Java.

"I got the information from Instagram then filled in my personal data and thank God I was chosen to take part in the free homecoming. Hopefully next year I can take part in the free homecoming again," he said.

Meanwhile, Acting Governor of West Java Bey Machmudin expressed his thanks and welcomed the free homecoming held by Defend ID. According to him, free homecoming can reduce the volume of vehicles when going home and passengers can go home safely and comfortably.

"Thank you to Defend ID for this free homecoming. Passengers are definitely happy, we remind travelers to follow the rules. Hopefully next year there will be another free homecoming with more participants," he said.

In the same place, the Daily Executive (Plh) Regional Secretary for the City of Bandung, Hikmat Ginanjar also expressed his thanks to the defense BUMN, in this case Defend ID, which has facilitated Bandung City residents in free homecoming in 2024.

"Hopefully, ladies and gentlemen, all the homecoming participants will always be given strength and health and reach their destination safely," he said.

Overall, in 2024 the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) will open a quota of 80,125 homecoming travelers.

The BUMN Ministry provides a fleet of 1,225 buses with a capacity of 55,607 travelers, 60 trains with a capacity of 18,998 people, and 15 ships with a capacity of 5,610 passengers. (rob)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office

Yayan A. Brilyana