Kuala Lumpur, January 18: A recent annual report from redBus, the world’s largest bus ticketing platform, has unveiled fascinating insights into travel patterns for Malaysian bus and ferry users in 2023. Among the findings, Tuesday stands out as the day of choice for travelers exploring different cities within Malaysia by bus.
The report sheds light on user purchase behaviors on the redBus platform, offering valuable insights into transportation and mobility trends from the past year.As a leading online travel platform in Malaysia, redBus witnessed a remarkable 60 per cent year-on-year increase in the sale of bus and ferry seats in 2023 compared to 2022.
The data also reveals that Malaysians tend to book their bus journeys 1 to 3 days before their travel date. Collaborating with platforms like redBus has become a common strategy for local bus and ferry operators to boost their business each year. Additionally, passengers are increasingly inclined to book luxury bus tickets, marking a shift from previous years.
Krishnan Ramaswami, Chief Business Officer at redBus, emphasized the company’s role in understanding the evolving needs of Malaysian travelers. He highlighted redBus’ commitment to providing a more convenient and reliable travel experience and its pivotal role in shaping modern bus and ferry transportation in Malaysia.
Key Highlights from 2023:
Popular Destinations: As Malaysia emerged from extended lockdowns, a trend known as “revenge travel” was observed, with travelers seeking to explore. This trend has evolved into more consistent travel patterns expected to continue in 2024.
- The top five most frequented destinations by bus in 2023 were:
- Kuala Lumpur (24%)
- Johor Bahru (7.8%)
- Malacca (5.7%)
- Kuantan (4.7%)
- Kota Bharu (3.4%)
- Bus routes experiencing the highest growth in passengers compared to 2022 included:
- Genting Highlands to Kuala Lumpur (70.7%)
- Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur (54%)
- Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (52%)
- The top five bus routes consistently favored by Malaysians included journeys between Kuala Lumpur and:
- Melaka
- Johor Bahru
- Penang
- Kuantan
- Genting Highlands
- The top three ferry destinations in 2023 were:
- Tioman Island
- Batam
- Perhentian Island
Ramaswami also highlighted the importance of online ticket booking convenience, user-friendly experiences through the redBus app, and exceptional customer service in attracting customers. He noted that the majority of demand comes from commuters traveling between home and work, students during vacations, and budget-conscious tourists seeking flexible and reliable travel options.
Additional Travel Trends: Travel planning often revolves around special events, weekends, and holidays, with preferences for timing and amenities:
- The top five peak periods with the highest bus ridership included Deepavali, Term 1 School Holidays (May – June), Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and the Year-end Holiday.
- The most preferred bus departure time was 10 PM, while for ferries, it was 11 AM.
- Charging points and M-tickets were crucial bus amenities for passengers.
- Thursdays were the busiest days for both bus and ferry travel, while Tuesdays were the least busy.
Did You Know?:
- In 2023, more than 5,500 bus and ferry routes were available across Malaysia, operated by over 170 providers.
- The busiest bus travel date in 2023 was November 10, coinciding with the Deepavali festive period.
- Some travelers plan well in advance, with one redBus user securing a bus seat from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Penang a whopping 119 days before departure.
- Approximately 5% of commuters took advantage of redBus’ flexibility to reschedule or cancel tickets based on their changing needs or plans.
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