Madam Karya, for instance, used to travel to Central Java by minivan in the past – a journey that took almost a full day and night from the capital.
“The minivan will depart at 8am, but it makes many pickup stops first. (We) arrive at our house in Central Java at 4am the next day,” she told CNA.
This year, she and her husband managed to score train tickets and are looking forward to a much shorter trip of about five to six hours.
Train frequencies have been increased to cope with the annual exodus, with more than 4.5 million train tickets provided nationwide. But like buses, cheap seats – which start at US$6 – sell out fast.
CONGESTION TO CONTINUE ON ROADS
Still, 147 million people on the move represent some 52 per cent of Indonesia’s 281 million population and heavy traffic is expected across the nation.
Authorities have taken steps to mitigate congestion by issuing advisories, making available more transportation and deploying security personnel.
To offset the high prices, some state-owned businesses have also offered discounts, promotions and free trips home.
Analysts said that Indonesia’s budget efficiency measures are hurting the economy, and urged authorities to boost spending.
“(Indonesia’s) strategy was wrong from the start. The budget efficiency measures were too excessive,” said Eko Listiyanto, a director at the Jakarta-based Institute for Development of Economics and Finance.
He added that the measures “went too far” and impacted household essentials, not just in urban areas but also in the countryside.
“Everyone is affected. Not going home doesn’t mean not wanting to go home, but not able to go home because money is tight,” he said.
