JAKARTA - Jakarta’s provincial government will make all public transport free for the first two days of Eid al-Fitr to keep the Indonesian capital lively while nearly half its population heads home for the holiday.

Governor Pramono Anung confirmed the policy at an *iftar *gathering with community leaders and West Jakarta residents at GOR Cengkareng Barat on Monday evening, March 16. 

“I have decided that, to mark Eid al-Fitr, all transportation services managed by the Jakarta provincial government will be free for two days. This includes the MRT, LRT, TransJakarta, TransJabodetabek, JakLingko, and Mikrotrans. Everything will be free,” he said.

The policy applies on March 21 and 22. Passengers will still need to tap their electronic money cards at entry and exit points as the system requires a minimum transaction value, but the recorded fare will still be Rp1. 

TransJakarta President Director Welfizon Yuza has previously explained the technical reason at a City Hall press briefing on March 4, “In the system used by TransJakarta, MRT and others, a Rp0 fare still has to carry a value, which is why it is set at Rp1.”

On the morning of March 21, TransJakarta will delay its start to around 09:00 or 10:00 WIB to allow staff to attend Eid prayers, before deploying extra buses to Ancol, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Ragunan and possibly Pantai Indah Kapuk.

Holders of the Kartu Jakarta Pintar social welfare card will receive free entry to Ancol, Ragunan and Monas. 

Pramono framed the broader package under a “Mudik ke Jakarta” concept for residents who stay in the capital. The provincial government has waived a portion of taxes on shopping malls and hotels, enabling discounts of up to 70 percent during the holiday period. 

The city will also hold a Car Free Night on the eve of Eid and open public space for the traditional torch parade. And for those who do want to travel, Pemprov DKI is running its own free Eid homecoming bus programme this year serving more than 30,000 participants across more than 700 buses.