Most M’sians in Singapore taking coaches back for CNY
Most Malaysians in Singapore are leaving the republic for home by coach for the Chinese New Year that falls on Feb 8, judging from the tickets sold by six coach companies.
It was reported in Singapore that tickets were snapped up mostly by Malaysians hoping to make it home in time for the traditional reunion dinner with their families on the eve of Chinese New Year.
The report said that coach tickets to Malaysia on Feb 5 and 6 are almost sold out, and the popular destinations include Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Malacca and Penang.
Executive director of Konsortium Express & Tours, Joe Lim, was quoted as saying that he has about 100 buses going to Malaysia on Feb 5 and 6, and all are full.
Lim, who is also the president of the Express and Excursion Bus Association, said most of those travelling on the two dates are Malaysians.
Lim said Singaporeans who head across the Causeway for a short getaway usually leave on the eve of Chinese New Year or on the first day of the new year.
At Grassland Express and Tours, the report said, tickets for the two dates went on sale in October and were sold out within two weeks.
Meanwhile, at Regent Star Travel, at least 12 coaches are heading to Kuala Lumpur on Feb 5, and at least 10 on Feb 6, compared with four coaches per day during the non-peak periods.
Tickets are also priced higher, with a return ticket to Kuala Lumpur on an 18-seater luxury coach costing S$156 (S$1=RM3.05) on Feb 5, compared with S$95 on normal days, its operations executive Nancy So was quoted as saying.
The report said those opting to fly to Malaysia will also have to act fast.
Quoting a spokesperson for Tigerair, the report said the budget airline has seen “strong demand” for its flights to Malaysia over the Chinese New Year period.
The airline has added three flights to Ipoh, two flights to Kuala Lumpur and five flights to Penang to cater to the greater demand.
It will cost about S$400, including taxes, for a round trip between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from Feb 5 to 9, it said.
At Jetstar Asia, the report said over 60 percent of seats on flights to Kuala Lumpur and half of the seats on flights to Penang over the Chinese New Year period have been sold.
This is double the number booked in the same period last year, spokesperson Robin Goh said, adding that the airline has added eight services to Kuala Lumpur and nine to Penang in this period.
- Bernama
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