Express bus tickets from Malacca to destinations in the east coast and northern states, including Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Alor Setar and Butterworth, for the Hari Raya have been sold out.

Syarikat Bas Jebat Ekspress ticket counter attendant Jefri Din, 31, said bus tickets for trips from Aug 1 to 7, had been sold out since the first week of Ramadan.

“The tickets were sold out quite fast as most express bus operators had started selling the tickets a month earlier,” he told Bernama in Malacca today.

Syarikat Bas Mara Liner ticket counter attendant Norshila Mokhtar, 26, said so far, most of the bus operators had no plans to provide additional buses.

“However, if the demands are high, we will consider providing additional buses to cater to passengers during the Hari Raya celebrations, with 10 percent surcharge on ticket prices as approved by the Land Public Transport Commission,” she said.

Meanwhile, Syarikat Bas Cepat Ekspress ticket counter attendant Azura Anuar, 33, said tickets for trips to other destinations, such as Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur were still available.

“Tickets to Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur are still available as the two destinations are not too far from Melaka and we have prepared more buses to go to those destinations,” she said.

A passenger, Helmi Ishak, said since the tickets to Pasir Putih, Kelantan, on his desired date before the Hari Raya had been sold out, he had no choice but to return to his hometown on the fourth day of Raya.

“Although I can drive, I still prefer taking the bus. It’s safer and more comfortable and I can sleep whenever I want,” he said.

- Bernama