Jayapura – The Papua Provincial Government officially launched the Free Homecoming Program for Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 as a form of concern for the people who have been struggling to finance their trip home. This program was launched directly by the Governor of Papua, Matius Fakhiri, in an official event held in Jayapura, Monday (12/8/2025).
In his speech, Governor Fakhiri said that every time before the Christmas celebration, many Papuans want to return to their hometowns in the Serui, Biak, Mamberamo Raya, Yapen, and inland areas. However, the high cost of transportation, especially by sea, made many residents forced to postpone or even cancel their homecoming plans.
“Every year many residents want to go home, but are hit by quite high transportation costs. Therefore, we present this free homecoming program as a form of government support to ease the economic burden of the community,” said Governor Fakhiri.
This year’s free homecoming program provides a total of 16,000 seats for residents who want to take advantage of the facility. The departure of all participants will be carried out simultaneously on December 17, 2025, through sea and land routes.
Sea Route:
- Jayapura – Biak
- Jayapura – Manokwari
- Jayapura – Yapen
- Jayapura – Waren
- Jayapura – Kasonaweja
Land Route:
- Jayapura – Sarmi
- Jayapura – Senggi
- Jayapura – Taja
- Jayapura – Biak
- Jayapura – Supiori
With a fairly wide route coverage, the government hopes that people from various districts/cities can be helped—especially those who have only relied on sea and land transportation at a high cost.
Governor Fakhiri emphasized that this program is not a momentary activity, but is part of the government’s long-term agenda to improve transportation services in Papua. The increase in community mobility between regions needs to be supported by affordable, safe, and decent means of transportation.
“This program is the first step. In the future, we hope that the transportation connectivity in Papua will be better, so that the community can truly feel the benefits of development,” he said.
According to Fakhiri, improving the quality of transportation services will also affect the strengthening of the regional economy, access to education, and logistics distribution to remote areas.
On that occasion, the Governor invited all homecoming participants to utilize this facility in an orderly manner and maintain safety throughout the journey.
“We hope this program brings joy to the community and helps reduce economic pressure ahead of Christmas and New Year. Keep order, obey the instructions of the officers during the trip, and hopefully everyone will arrive in their hometown safely,” he said.
The launch of this free homecoming program was welcomed positively by the residents of Jayapura and its surroundings, who called this program a real form of government presence in helping the community during times of big celebrations that are often accompanied by a surge in economic needs.
