KenaSaman.com

PETALING JAYA: Bus operators and airlines are bracing for the rush of travellers taking advantage of the long holidays ahead, with indications of a bigger exodus than in previous years.

With Chinese New Year holidays falling on Monday and Tuesday, many city folk will visit their hometowns or go on vacation over the four-day stretch beginning Jan 21.

And with public holidays like Federal Territory Day in Kuala Lumpur (Feb 1), Thaipusam (Feb 7) in several states, and the national holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Feb 5) lined up, some employees need only apply for seven days leave in between to enjoy an 18-day break from work.

Malaysia Airlines is increasing its flights to meet additional demand from customers while bus operators are providing extra services to cater for Chinese New Year travellers three weeks ahead of the Jan 23 celebrations.

A check at the Pudu Sentral (previously Puduraya) and Hentian Putra bus terminals in Kuala Lumpur revealed that most tickets for popular travel times for the festive season were already limited or sold out.

While tickets for morning buses for the weekend preceding Chinese New Year were still available, a limited number remained for night buses departing the Klang Valley between Jan 20 and the eve of the celebrations.

“Bus tickets this year are selling a lot faster than in previous years.

“Tickets for most night buses to the east coast on Friday night (Jan 20) sold out last week,” a cashier at Hentian Putra said, adding that there were only a few tickets left for the extra buses.

“The tickets for several routes were sold out earlier because many people bought well in advance,” he said.

To meet the increased demand, interstate bus operator Transnasional will increase the number of trips by about 20%.

However, the Kelantan-based bus operator Mutiara Express still has tickets for many of its routes between the east coast and Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuantan during the weekend of Chinese New Year.

“But we expect the tickets to finish quickly within the next two weeks,” said operations officer Mohammad Anuar.

“We have no plans as of now to add buses for the Chinese New Year celebrations but are prepared to do so should the need arises,” he added.

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