KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 — The excitement of welcoming the first day of Syawal was clearly visible among travellers who flooded major bus terminals in the federal capital last night to return to their hometowns ahead of Aidilfitri.
City dwellers met by Bernama expressed relief and gratitude at securing tickets, describing express bus services as the best option amid extraordinary traffic congestion on highways.
The concourse of the Gombak Integrated Transport Terminal was packed with people, but smooth terminal management and the provision of last-minute additional bus tickets ensured passenger movement to departure platforms remained orderly and under control.
Bank employee Amir Asyraf, 28, who was travelling to Tanah Merah, Kelantan by bus for the first time, said he chose public transport to avoid the fatigue of driving through traffic congestion for up to 12 hours.
“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 Hentian Duta, a Bernama survey found the atmosphere to be calm despite the terminal being a key hub for last-minute travellers, especially those heading north.
Factory operator Salwa Hamzah, 49, said she has been taking the express bus with her 14-year-old son to return to Parit Buntar, Perak for Raya over the past three years.
Having purchased her tickets as early as the first week of Ramadan, she said the online system made the process easier and spared her the worry of tickets selling out.
“The ticket prices are still the same,” she said.
Private sector employee Iza Samsudin, 32, who is spending her first year living alone in the capital, also opted for an express bus to Jitra, Kedah.
Although she owns a vehicle, she chose to leave it behind to avoid the risks of driving alone over a long distance.
“I don’t want to drive because I’m travelling alone. I’m worried I might fall asleep on the road, and there would be no one to take over, so I headed straight to the terminal after work today,” she said.
Muslims across the country will celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow.
