ITS Campus, ITS News — Eid al-Fitr is always a time to gather with family. To celebrate this occasion, the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) is once again holding a free homecoming program for its students, sending 27 buses to various routes across Java on Saturday morning (March 14).
ITS Rector Prof. Dr. (HC) Ir. Bambang Pramujati, ST, MScEng, PhD, stated that the free homecoming program is a routine program held by ITS to facilitate its academic community, especially students, in obtaining accommodations for their return trips to their hometowns to celebrate Eid. “This activity is concrete evidence that ITS is committed to providing the best facilities in terms of safety and comfort for its academic community,” Bambang said before sending off the 27 buses.
Furthermore, the Professor of the ITS Department of Mechanical Engineering revealed that this year’s free homecoming program successfully attracted 1,180 participants. This number represents a 32 percent increase from the previous year. This increase was due to the collaboration of various parties, including the East Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jatim) through the Transportation Agency, the ITS Student Parents Association (Ikoma), the ITS Alumni Association (IKA), and support from BSI and BNI.
Echoing Bambang, Ainur Rofiq Ama PKB SH MM, Head of the Road Transportation Division of the East Java Provincial Transportation Agency, also stated that this program demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, comfortable, and affordable travel for the public during their homecoming trips. Furthermore, the free homecoming program helps reduce transportation congestion ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
ITS Chancellor Prof Dr (HC) Ir Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD (holding the flag) while preparing to release the departure of the Free Homecoming with ITSFurthermore, the man familiarly known as Rofiq stated that the free homecoming program at ITS is divided into 19 routes, deploying 27 buses. More specifically, there are nine routes in East Java, including the routes of Pasuruan – Probolinggo – Lumajang – Jember, Lamongan – Bojonegoro – Tuban, Bondowoso – Situbondo – Banyuwangi, Malang – Batu, Madiun – Magetan, Ponorogo – Pacitan, Kediri – Pare – Trenggalek, Tulungagung – Blitar, and Mojokerto – Jombang – Nganjuk – Ngawi.
Meanwhile, the Central Java region is divided into five routes, namely Rembang – Pati – Kudus – Jepara – Demak, Sragen – Surakarta – Boyolali – Salatiga – Semarang – Kendal, Yogyakarta – Purworejo – Kebumen – Cilacap, Surakarta – Klaten – Magelang – Temanggung – Wonosobo – Purbalingga – Purwokerto, and Batang – Pekalongan – Pemalang – Tegal – Brebes. “This region has increased by two routes from the previous year, which only had three routes,” he added.
Finally, in the western region of Java, there are also five routes spread across Bandung, Bekasi, Depok-Jakarta, Tangerang-Serang-Cilegon, and Cirebon-Sumedang-Subang-Purwakarta-Karawang-Bogor. These routes allow participants from Jakarta, West Java, and Banten, particularly the Greater Jakarta area, to travel home free of charge.
Through this activity, ITS demonstrates its contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The supported goal refers to point 11 concerning Sustainable Cities and Settlements. “This program, which reduces traffic congestion, is expected to create a more peaceful holiday atmosphere,” he said optimistically.
With the ITS free homecoming program, participants can significantly reduce their daily expenses, only spending money on returning home. As evidence, Ahmad Maulana, a student from Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), experienced significant benefits, from accommodations to the souvenirs provided. He said the program, which reaches the region, has saved him personal savings and reduced transportation costs to his hometown. (ITS Public Relations)
Reporter: Mohammad Fariz Irwansyah
Translator: Devinka Mutianeira