Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Transportation Ministry launched the departure of child- and disability-friendly homecoming participants from Kampung Rambutan Type A Bus Terminal in East Jakarta on Wednesday.In Wednesday’s departure, two buses dedicated to persons with disabilities were dispatched to Palembang and Solo, carrying a total of 88 travelers. The ministry’s Secretary General Arif Toha Tjahjagama said the free homecoming program aims to ease travel costs and reduce accident risks.“This program is not only intended to assist the public, specifically those with special needs, so they can travel home at more affordable costs, but also to reduce the use of motorcycles for long-distance trips, which carry relatively high traffic accident risks,” he said here on Wednesday.The ministry’s Child- and Disability-Friendly Homecoming Program has been implemented since 2019. After being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it resumed in 2023 and continues to date.To participate in the free program, applicants filled out forms distributed through disability communities. Registered participants receive free round-trip tickets.In addition to Wednesday’s departure from Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal, a similar program using air transport was launched on March 13, 2026, at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.On March 17, another departure using BSI buses bound for Solo was held at BSI Tower.The ministry also plans to organize a departure using train services at Pasar Senen Station.In the 2026 Free Homecoming Program for land transportation, the ministry has prepared a quota of 15,834 passengers and transport for 240 motorcycles to 34 destination cities across Java and Sumatra.Departures are being carried out in stages from several terminals in the Greater Jakarta area. Tjahjagama expressed hope the program will ensure safer, more comfortable, and secure journeys.