No Longer Putting Life on Two-Wheelers

Kompas/Raditya Helabumi

A worker arranges motorcycles of homebound travelers at Pasar Senen Railway Station, Central Java, on a truck to be transported to the Gudang Railway Station, Tuesday (20/6). The Transportation Ministry provides free homecoming services to transport motorcycles by train to a number of city destinations in West Java, Central Java and East Java. The free motorcycle transportation services are provided to help reduce the huge number of citizens who use motorcycles to travel to their home towns to celebrate Lebaran.

The free homebound program will not only save expenses, but also bring safety and convenience. Making new friends on the bus while traveling home will be much more valuable compared to risking one’s life by riding a motorcycle.

Sudarso, a 48-year-old resident of Gang Siliwangi 1, Cinambo distirct, Bandung, had a bitter experience last year: He had to push his motorcycle for 3 kilometers because his engine stalled just as he was passing teak forests in Majenang, Cilacap, Central Java, and dusk was falling. It was quiet all around. Not many people were in sight, and he worried about being mugged. This bad experience prompted him to take part in the free homebound program by a bus.