KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Bus and train tickets to destinations in the east coast and northern region for the Chinese New Year celebrations have been sold out since two weeks ago.
A Bernama survey at the Southern Integrated Terminal (TBS) Thursday (Jan 31) revealed that bus tickets for journeys from the Klang Valley to the east coast, such as Kota Baru and Kuala Terengganu, are sold out for travel from Jan 29 to Feb 4 as well as from Feb 8 to Feb 10.
More than 80% of return tickets from the Klang Valley to the northern states such as Penang and Kedah have also been snapped up.
According to a TBS employee who declined to be identified, there were still lots of tickets available for southern destinations.
“For those looking to buy tickets at the last minute, there are still tickets available for trips south to places such as Melaka, Johor and Singapore,” she told Bernama, adding that some bus companies were forced to raise ticket prices due to the last-minute surge in demand.
“Seventy counters have been operating 24 hours daily from last Saturday (Jan 26) and they will be open until the eve of Chinese New Year.
"Five additional counters are also open from 7am to 11pm,” the employee said.
A Bernama survey of the Kuala Lumpur Central Station also found that the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Intercity tickets from the Klang Valley to the east coast and north have been sold out as well.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said 89% of Electric Train Services (ETS) tickets from Jan 31 to Feb 10 were sold out.
“Four additional ETS would operate the KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral and KL Sentral-Butterworth-KL Sentral routes from Friday (Feb 1) to Feb 4, and Feb 7 to Feb 10 to meet the high demand.
“A total of 9,984 additional tickets were set aside and 72% have been sold since Jan 14,” he told reporters after distributing Chinese New Year packets to KTMB passengers here.
He said of the 16,000 Intercity return tickets put up for sale for the Gemas-Padang Besar route, 71% had been sold for the trips from Friday until Feb 4, and from Feb 7 to Feb 10. - Bernama
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