Donald
KOTA KINABALU: Express bus tickets for the Hari Raya period were selling slow as of yesterday, which is expected to be in high demand from June 29 onwards.
Sabah Express Bus Operators Council (SEBOC) president Datuk Donald Hanapi said the association just met with the Road Transport Department (RTD) and Sabah Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) recently to have an integrated operation for the Hari Raya celebrations.
“We will be having the integrated operation with RTD and CVLB on June 29, where people who are going back to the East Coast of Sabah will start buying tickets for Hari Raya.
“Most express bus operators are still giving discounts to those who are booking their ticket early, but those who are buying tickets from June 29 onwards will not be getting any discounts.
“There is no increase in express bus fare, as the authority is closely monitoring our pricing. Tickets from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau are at RM73 each, to Semporna RM75, to Kunak RM62, to Lahad Datu RM53 and to Sandakan RM43,” said Donald when contacted yesterday.
This year, the first day of Hari Raya is expected to fall on July 6.
Donald said people were expected to go back to their respective hometowns a week before the Hari Raya, but the highest demand would be on two days and a day before Hari Raya.
“After a briefing with RTD two days ago, we already inform all operators to ensure their tyres are new, there must be two drivers, travelling speed must not be more than 90km per hous.
“Last month, we had another meeting to remind the operators to renew their licences, road tax and Puspakom certificate before the Hari Raya festival to avoid any last minute problem to their documents,” he added.