JAKARTA:

Every year, Faisal Ikhrom eagerly anticipates the moment he and his mother make the long trek from Jakarta to their hometown of Madura on East Java to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

This journey typically entails at least 15 hours of travel, riddled with multiple stops and notorious road congestion. This year, however, they face an unfortunate situation: they won't be traveling together. The reason? A frustrating scarcity of affordable bus tickets. Faisal noted, 'We have gone back and forth twice to buy our tickets because the price was still not suitable for us.'

Just last year, the round trip cost them approximately US$39 each. This year, they are confronted with a staggering increase, as prices have surged to over US$50!

Faisal isn't the only one reflecting on the changed circumstances this Eid. His older brother has decided to forgo the journey altogether, opting instead to stay in Jakarta due to these inflated travel costs.

A SHARP DECREASE IN TRAVELERS

According to a recent survey by Indonesia’s Transportation Policy Agency, it is reported that nearly 100 million fewer people are expected to travel during this year's holiday rush. The anticipated number of travelers has dropped dramatically from 242 million last year to roughly 147 million this year—a concerning trend that reflects the ongoing economic challenges many face.

Madam Karya, who used to take a grueling overnight minivan trip to Central Java, recalls the difficulties: 'The minivan would leave at 8 AM and stop frequently to pick up other passengers, making for an exhausting journey.' This year, she and her husband are relieved to have secured train tickets, which will cut their travel time down to about five to six hours thanks to increased train frequency, with over 4.5 million tickets made available nationwide.

Still, just like bus tickets, the cheaper train fares starting at US$6 are quickly snapped up, leaving many unable to afford travel.

EXPECTING HEAVY TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION

Although 147 million travelers represent 52% of Indonesia's population, serious traffic congestion is anticipated nationwide. In response, authorities are implementing various measures to alleviate the expected chaos on the roads, including enhanced advisories, increased transportation availability, and additional security personnel to ensure travelers' safety.

To mitigate the high prices, some state-owned enterprises are stepping in with discounts, promotions, and even offering free trips home, attempting to ease the burden on families.

However, economic analysts like Eko Listiyanto from the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance express concern that Indonesia's stringent budget efficiency measures are ultimately harming the economy. They argue these measures have negatively impacted household essentials, affecting both urban and rural communities. 'Not going home doesn't signify a lack of desire but rather an inability to do so because finances are tight,' he stated poignantly.

As Eid approaches, the sentiment across Indonesia echoes the struggles of families grappling with rising travel costs, revealing a stark truth: the longing for home may be strong, but for many, the financial barriers are even stronger.