MANY OPT FOR BUS TRAVEL, TBS REMAINS KEY HUB DURING LONG HOLIDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- The public continues to opt for public transport, particularly buses, to avoid being caught in highway congestion in conjunction with the school holidays, Chinese New Year celebration and early Ramadan preparation, with Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) here still the main hub for trips to the south and east coast.

A Bernama survey at the terminal today found that the situation is under control and not too congested, compared to festive periods, most likely due to many having returned home earlier yesterday to take advantage of the long holiday period.

Private sector worker Samuel Tan, 27, said he chose to take a bus instead of driving home to Butterworth, Penang, to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family, to avoid the stress of being caught in traffic jams.

He said that he initially planned to use the electric train service (ETS), but the tickets were all sold out within a short period.

"So, I chose to go back by bus. At least, I don't have to worry about traffic jams and can rest throughout the journey,” he said when met at TBS today.

Samuel was full of praise for the terminal, which is equipped with proper facilities, saying it made his trip back home more comfortable despite it being the peak period.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Tan Siew Ling, a student from Johor Bahru, said the experience of being caught in a massive gridlock last year taught her and her sister to make earlier preparations this time.

She said that they went home by car last year for the Chinese New Year holidays, and it took them longer than usual to reach home due to the traffic congestion.

"This year, we made sure we bought the bus tickets much earlier. It's more peaceful, and we don't have to worry about the traffic situation,” she said, adding that using public transport is also more economical.

Thirty-eight-year-old civil servant Atikah Rashid, who is from Kota Bharu, said she took advantage of the long holiday period to celebrate Ramadan in her hometown village with her mother, having not done so for some time.

She said that although her husband could not go with her, she was glad she managed to take her two children home earlier to spend some quality time with her family.

"It's been a long time since I celebrated Ramadan with my mother in the village. I quickly applied for leave during this long holiday period so that my children can also experience the Ramadan atmosphere there,” she said, adding that public transport made it easier for her to plan her journey with her children.

The school holidays for Group A (Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) are from Feb 15-19, and for Group B from Feb 16-20.

These dates overlap with the Chinese New Year holidays (Feb 17-18) and the arrival of the first day of the Ramadan month, which is expected to fall on Feb 19, thus making this a busy travel period for those who want to go back to their hometowns.

-- BERNAMA