It was always a difficult, frustrating drive, with massive jams all the way.
This year, he was smiling. For the first time, he decided to go home by bus, to escape the fatigue of driving through traffic congestion for 12 hours.
There is no getting away from the jam, but at least it won’t be him behind the wheel.
“I don’t want to drive because I want to avoid stress. I also want to experience returning home using public transport,” he said at the concourse of Gombak Integrated Terminal (TBG) where he was waiting for his bus.
He was right about avoiding stress. Yesterday, there were jams stretching more than 20km between Terengganu and Kelantan, leaving many drivers frustrated.
Many city dwellers at the terminal described the express bus service as the best option to avoid the stress of traffic congestion on highways.
They expressed relief and gratitude at having managed to get tickets. Many were lucky because more buses and tickets were added at the last minute.
At TBG, movement of passengers to the departure platform was orderly.
Private sector worker Iza Samsudin, 32, was another person who preferred to leave her car behind in the capital.
She was at Hentian Duta, where northbound buses depart, to go home by express bus to Jitra in Kedah.
Iza said she wanted to avoid driving alone for the long journey, which will likely be fraught.
“I don’t want to drive because I’m going home alone. I’m also worried that if I suddenly feel sleepy in the middle of the road, there will be no one to help me take over the driving. So, I just came to the bus terminal after work today,” she said.
A survey by Bernama found that the atmosphere at Hentian Duta was calm although the terminal was packed.
Factory operator Salwa Hamzah, 49, said she had been going home to Parit Buntar in Perak by bus for the past three years.
This time, she had her 14-year-old son with her.
Salwa, who bought her tickets in the first week of Ramadan, was grateful that the online ticketing system made things easier for her.
“The ticket prices are still the same,” she said.
