T

aking part in ensuring safety during mudik (the annual mass exodus), a number of automotive companies have established assistance services across Indonesia, ranging from emergency posts to vehicle sheds and rest facilities.

Automotive group Astra, for example, has launched a program called Astra Holiday Campaign (AHC) 2015 to assist its four-wheel and two-wheel customers during their mudik trips.

'€œAHC is an annual program to serve our customers who leave for their hometowns. We want them to feel secure and comfortable during their trip,'€ said Astra International director Suparno Djasmin.

With the program, it has set up Pos Siaga (rest facilities) in nine locations across Java and Bali, at which homeward-bound travelers can check their four-wheel vehicles or get a minor service while enjoying free food and beverages provided at the air-conditioned posts.

It is also opening 103 repair shops and 10 Astra Honda Authorized Service Stations (AHASS), which will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., respectively, during the Idul Fitri holiday to serve travelers in Java, Bali, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The facilities, which are meant for four-wheel vehicle users, were set to open from July 13 to July 22.

The group has also established Bale Santai Honda rest areas and 72 Customer Assistance and Road Emergency (CARE) posts, operating from July 13 to 19, for its two-wheel customers. The rest areas and emergency posts are located on Java and Bali, such as in Natar, Balaraja, Madiun, Pamanukan and Mendoyo.

Astra is opening three contact centers that will operate 24 hours per day during the holiday period: Call AstraWorld 1-500-898; Garda Call Akses 1500-112; and Honda Customer Care Center 1500-989.

Meanwhile, authorized Mitsubishi distributor Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB) is assisting its customers through the SMILE Campaign, in which the distributor is offering vehicle sheds and 24-hour emergency posts.

Authorized Mitsubishi repair shops in a number of cities, such as Jambi, Jember, Pekanbaru, Lubuk Linggau and Balikpapan, will remain open in work hours during Idul Fitri, Antara news agency reported. Meanwhile, those in big cities, like Medan, Jakarta, Semarang, Denpasar and Palembang, will be open 24 hours for customers.

Mitsubishi emergency posts, operating 24 hours, will provide vehicle services in a number of locations in Jakarta, Bogor (Puncak), Serang, Cikampek, Pekanbaru, Cirebon, Bandung and Banyuwangi.

Another automotive company, Honda Prospect Motor (HPM), has set up 70 authorized dealers and 15 Posko Siaga Honda emergency posts, which will provide homeward-bound travelers with vehicle services in 85 locations across the country.

The authorized dealers are opening from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 14 to July 23. Meanwhile, the emergency posts will operate 24 hours per day from July 14 to July 24.

According to HPM marketing and sales director Jonfis Fandy, Honda is also assisting travelers through its website honda-indonesia.com, which provides information such as maps of Indonesia and the locations of Honda authorized dealers and Bengkel Siaga Honda 2015. (agn)