PETALING JAYA: Ahead of Chinese New Year on Feb 10, most train tickets have been snapped up three days prior to the festival.
Malaysians usually start their travels one or two days before the celebration so that they can have their reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year.
A search on the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) website yesterday showed that all train tickets to Ipoh, Padang Besar and Butterworth have been sold out.
However, there is some good news, as KTMB will provide six additional ETS services starting today for Chinese New Year and the school holidays.
Four additional services will be for the KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral route, and two others for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral route.
Bus tickets from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) to states like Johor, Perak and Penang are also still available for booking during the Chinese New Year period.
“Usually, bus tickets will be sold out a week in advance,” said Bibi Zakinah, a TBS customer service officer.
“Those who wish to balik kampung should book tickets as soon as possible,” she added.
Many will also be flying back to Sabah and Sarawak.
Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the maximum price of a one-way flight from Peninsular Malaysia to any destination in East Malaysia will be capped at RM599 three days prior to any festive seasons, like Chinese New Year.
Senior executive Joey Lee, 27, just bought tickets early this month to fly back to Sabah.
“I almost decided not to return home this year, as it was RM1,300 for a return ticket. Thankfully, the price controls made the tickets more affordable, at around RM800.
“However, this year, the flight tickets were more expensive than last year,” she added.
Marketing executive Tan Lee, 24, expressed disappointment over the expensive flight tickets to East Malaysia.
“It is saddening that going home for Chinese New Year is more expensive than a holiday overseas. Some have chosen not to balik kampung,” she said.
