At the courtyard of a historic building in Purwokerto, the capital of Banyumas District, Mungid sat among hundreds of fellow drivers, many visibly delighted. Some quietly admired their new vehicles, while others gently touched the pedicabs that will now support their daily livelihoods.
Through the National Solidarity Movement (GSN) Foundation he founded, President Prabowo donated 280 electric pedicabs to elderly drivers in Banyumas, aiming to help them maintain their income amid transportation modernization and declining physical strength.
The electric pedicab program reflects the president’s effort to improve living standards by empowering underprivileged groups to sustain their livelihoods independently.
The initiative primarily targets elderly pedicab drivers whose physical stamina has diminished. It has also benefited drivers over the age of 70 who continue to rely on limited strength to earn a modest income. Mungid is among those who know this challenge well.
“While my energy is already depleted, my life must go on,” he said.
Living in Kebumen Village, Baturaden sub-district, Mungid often spent his days waiting for passengers in East Purwokerto sub-district. At times, he returned home without earning anything.
He recalled that during the peak years of pedicab transportation, he could earn up to Rp200,000, or about 12 US dollars, a day. However, the growth of motorized transport has steadily reduced his income, sometimes to as little as Rp50,000, and occasionally nothing at all. Aging and modernization, he said, have become a difficult combination.
His circumstances began to change on December 2, 2025, when he received the electric pedicab as an unexpected gift from the president.
“I am truly grateful for this pedicab. I believe it will help me save my energy because it is powered by an engine. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Prabowo and to everyone who made this donation possible,” Mungid said.
Another driver, Sugeng Riyanto, 55, shared a similar experience. He usually operates his manual pedicab in Purwokerto, although he lives in Tamansari Village, Karanglewas sub-district.
With an average daily income of around Rp40,000, or 2.40 US dollars, he has struggled to support his four grandchildren. On more difficult days, his earnings dropped to about Rp15,000.
He said he views the electric pedicab not merely as a new vehicle, but as vital support that arrived when he needed it most.
A national drive
Banyumas District Head Sadewo Tri Lastiono said the GSN Foundation distributed 280 electric pedicabs to local drivers, exceeding the 188 units initially proposed by the district government.
He said President Prabowo Subianto aims for the phased donation program to eventually reach all 80,000 pedicab drivers nationwide. The president has set one condition for recipients: the pedicabs must not be resold.
GSN Foundation Chair Lieutenant General (Ret.) Teguh Arief Indratmoko echoed the statement, emphasizing that the electric pedicab donation program is not limited to Banyumas District.
Since 2024, the program has reached thousands of pedicab drivers across Java, including in Cilacap, Jombang, Purbalingga, Brebes, Cirebon, Mojokerto, Banjarnegara, Indramayu, Sumenep, and Tangerang.
Indratmoko said the GSN Foundation, established on August 24 last year, focuses on initiatives to alleviate poverty, improve public health, and expand access to education.
He said the electric pedicab program forms part of the foundation’s efforts to increase drivers’ productivity and help them escape poverty. The initiative, he added, was inspired by President Prabowo after he encountered a pedicab driver, around 70 years old, who was still struggling to operate his vehicle despite his frail condition.
The encounter prompted the president to procure battery-powered pedicabs to help elderly drivers increase their income by extending their working hours, from about three hours to as many as 10 hours, as the vehicles require far less physical effort.
By the end of 2025, the program is expected to reach 10 thousand drivers nationwide, with around three thousand beneficiaries recorded as of early December. A more ambitious target of 30 thousand drivers has been set for 2026.
The GSN Foundation has also encouraged local governments to install electric charging outlets at pedicab stops to allow drivers to recharge their vehicles while waiting for passengers.
During the handover of 100 electric pedicabs in Jombang, East Java, in late November, GSN Foundation Deputy Chair Nanik Deyang said the donation program, which is funded personally by President Prabowo, also includes technician training to provide free, round-the-clock maintenance for beneficiaries.
Driving toward dignity
The electric pedicab donation program is widely viewed as more than an effort to modernize transportation, as it has also developed into a community empowerment initiative aimed at supporting drivers whose physical stamina has declined.
Through the program, President Prabowo Subianto has provided pedicab drivers with tools that allow them to sustain their livelihoods independently and with greater dignity.
Beneficiaries such as Abdul Mungid and Sugeng Riyanto, along with thousands of other drivers across the country, say the program has given them renewed optimism. With electric pedicabs that require less physical effort, drivers are better able to continue working and supporting their families.
An increasing number of pedicab drivers have gained access to battery-powered vehicles that are more efficient and environmentally friendly than conventional models. Beyond serving as a means of transport, the vehicles are seen by beneficiaries as tangible support for improving their economic resilience.
The program has contributed to renewed hope among grassroots communities, particularly elderly drivers who have faced mounting challenges in earning a living amid transportation modernization.
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Editor: Primayanti
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