PETALING JAYA: Public transport tickets for Hari Raya Aidilfitri are selling fast, with some travel dates already fully booked.

       Peninsular Malaysia Express Bus Operators Association (Pembawa) president Laili Ismail said tickets from April 28 until May 1 have been fully booked and only a few seats are left for May 2.

       This year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall on May 3.

       “We prepared about 300,000 tickets, but so far we have only a few tickets left for those who wish to travel back to their hometowns on May 2.

       “Tickets to every destination in the peninsula from April 28 until May 1 are fully booked,” he said, adding that Pembawa has about 20 members which operate over 800 buses nationwide.

       Laili said they plan to add more buses nationwide to cater for the additional demand.

       He added that he is grateful that after two years of not being able to operate, bus operators can resume their business.

       “Two years ago, we had no trips at all, we couldn’t operate. Our 2,000 employees were affected as they had no income.

       “So now I’m grateful that we can continue to work, our employees can get paid, we can serve the people, and everyone can celebrate Hari Raya,” he said.

       AirAsia Malaysia chief executive officer Riad Asmat said ticket sales recorded a 20% increase on April 1 for both domestic and international destinations.

       He said the airline is expected to fly 75,000 passengers across all of its five hubs in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and Johor Baru.

       About 130 guest service assistants will be on duty during the Hari Raya period from April 30 to May 4, he added.

       Malindo Air public relations and government affairs director Raja Sa’adi Raja Amrin said while all flight dates are still available, travellers are encouraged to start making their “balik kampung” plans early.

       “Bookings are already coming in. Please book your tickets early to avoid the last-minute rush.

       “All dates are still available, destinations that are selling fast are Kota Baru, Langkawi and Kuching,” he said.

       KTMB chief operating officer Mohd Zain Mat Taha said almost 40% out of about 100,000 ETS and KTM Intercity tickets had been sold for the period from April 23 until May 8.

       “Tickets from April 29 until May 1 from KL Sentral to Padang Besar have been sold out. KTMB will consider providing additional trains to cater to the demand,” he added.

       The Shuttle Timuran train service for the Gemas-Kuala Lipis-Gemas route will be increased from two to four services a day from April 18.

       Mohd Zain said travellers can enjoy a 25% discount on group travel fares through the Malaysian Family Package by using the promo code KMKTMB22 for the purchase of adult or children’s tickets.

       There is a minimum of four people and above in one purchase transaction, he added.