Eid homecoming, or mudik, is a cherished tradition in Indonesia. It allows people to return to their hometowns or reunite with family.
However, the high demand for transportation during this period often leads to ticket price hikes, posing a significant challenge for the public. Domestic airfare prices, in particular, are often criticized for being more expensive than international flights.
Dr. Dewanti, a researcher at the UGM Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral UGM, highlighted the issue of costly domestic flight tickets. She urged the government to implement innovative policies to ensure ticket affordability without compromising service quality.
“The government provides transportation subsidies, not only during Eid but also during off-peak seasons, to support remote or frontier, outermost, underdeveloped, and border (3TP) regions,” said Dr. Dewanti on Thursday (Jan. 16).
In addition to subsidies, she noted that the government enforces tariff regulations to keep ticket prices reasonable despite surges in demand. Price ceilings and floors are also implemented to protect consumers from unfair price speculation.
“With these upper and lower price limits, the usual price spikes during homecoming can be controlled, ensuring that the public can access transportation at reasonable costs,” she added.
Government-sponsored free homecoming programs, supported by local governments and private sectors, are another effective measure to alleviate the public’s financial burden while reducing the number of private vehicles on the roads.
However, these efforts are not without challenges. Dr. Dewanti emphasized the difficulty of lowering ticket prices without compromising the quality of service provided by transportation operators.
“Ticket price reductions must be carefully managed to ensure that comfort, safety, and security remain top priorities,” she explained.
She acknowledged the significant challenge of private operators’ financial interests, which do not always align with government policies. Operational cost fluctuations, including fuel prices and maintenance, also impact private operators’ ability to support low tariffs.
Dr. Dewanti advised the government to learn from past experiences to develop more effective strategies. Analyzing travel patterns and transportation demand from previous years could help anticipate service needs during the homecoming season.
Measures such as monitoring transportation facilities, ensuring fuel availability, and widely disseminating information about homecoming programs must be strengthened.
“Collaboration with the private sector is crucial, but its success varies due to the diverse financial capacities of private operators,” she noted. Subsidies, promotions, and strict monitoring are key tools for the government to maintain affordable ticket prices without compromising service quality.
Dr. Dewanti remains optimistic that the government can provide safe, comfortable, and affordable transportation services for the public through collaborative approaches and adaptive policies.
“Ultimately, these policies are designed to help people enjoy their homecoming journeys better,” she concluded.
Author: Rahma Khoirunnisa
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Freepik