H

undreds of people at the Pulogadung terminal in East Jakarta lined up on Wednesday to take advantage of free transportation services sponsored by the government and private companies.

However, not everyone was fortunate enough to return to their hometowns free of charge.

Every year, millions return to their hometowns to spend Idul Fitri with their families in a tradition called mudik. This year, the peak of the annual exodus will be July 25-27, or three days prior to Idul Fitri, which is estimated to fall on July 28.

The terminal was packed with hundreds of people towing luggage, all excited to reunite with their families.

Many of those who missed out on the free services ended up purchasing their own tickets, while others chose to return to their homes in the city.

One passenger, 53-year-old laundry worker Tuti Sri Mulyati, said she came to the terminal hoping to get a free ticket to Surabaya, East Java, as she had failed to get one after searching the last three months.

'€œI did register for the free-mudik program offered by government institutions, major corporations, cell phone operators and retail stores. I guess I'€™m just not one of the lucky ones,'€ Tuti told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

However, she decided to take a chance and went to the terminal with no ticket in hand and limited funds.

'€œThere is not a single free seat left, so I'€™ve had to buy a bus ticket for Rp 500,000 [US$43.44],'€ Tuti said.

She added that she had pawned her laptop for Rp 1 million and planned to give the money to her sick mother.

'€œI'€™ve already used half the money. I don'€™t know what to do now,'€ Tuti said tearfully.

Meanwhile, 43-year-old Tukijan, who was looking for a free ticket to Wonosari, Central Java, decided to go back home because he could not afford to purchase one on his own.

'€œThe ticket is Rp 400,000. I can'€™t afford that. I'€™m just a factory worker,'€ Tukijan said.

He said that he would save his money and send it to his wife after Idul Fitri.

'€œI miss my wife and kids but it'€™s fine. I will just go to Wonosari when the ticket prices are not as expensive,'€ he said.

A similar scene could be seen in Kampung Rambutan terminal in East Jakarta, where hundreds of people who failed to get free tickets lined up at the ticket counters.

One passenger, 48-year-old Iwan, said ticket prices to Pekalongan, Central Java, had risen substantially ahead of Idul Fitri.

'€œUsually a ticket to Pekalongan costs only about Rp 125,000. Today it costs Rp 200,000,'€ he said.

Iwan, a street vendor in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, added that he also had to buy tickets for his wife, son and younger brother.

'€œSo, I'€™ve had to pay Rp 800,000 in total. I will also have to buy return tickets. I won'€™t have any money left after this,'€ he said jokingly.

A 48-year-old woman, Siti Suparwati, said that she was still hesitant about traveling back to her hometown of Magetan, East Java.

'€œThe ticket is priced at over Rp 400,000. It'€™s too expensive, but I really want to go to Magetan to see my relatives,'€ she said.

Siti vowed she would try her luck again next year so she does not have to spend Rp 400,000 just to see her family. (dwa)