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AKARTA: Car rental firm PT Serasi Autoraya, also known as TRAC Astra Rent Car, targets 15,000 rental agreements with homebound holiday travelers during the Idul Fitri exodus.

The firm’s director, Hadi Winarto, pointed to improved road infrastructure and new toll roads providing a more convenient traveling experience by car than in the past. “Nowadays, people need a car [to travel home for the holidays]. If they do not own a car, renting one becomes an option,” Hadi said, as quoted by Kontan on Wednesday.

Hadi was optimistic that the car rental business would see significant future growth following the government’s plan to impose higher taxes on car ownership. This year, Hadi added, the company aimed for a revenue increase of between 5 and 10 percent from revenue of Rp 7 trillion (US$522.9 million) last year.

Aside from being a rental car service, the company’s used-car business under the brand Mobil 88 predicts a 20 percent increase in sales during the fasting month of Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri festivities thanks to higher seasonal demand. — JP