Kuala Lumpur, May 3: redBus, a leading bus ticketing platform, has unveiled a significant uptick in travel activity across Malaysia during this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, according to a new report based on the company’s data.
The analysis highlights a 48 per cent increase in customers traveling by bus and ferry during the festive period compared to regular times, with a notable 30.5 per cent growth in bus ticket sales from the previous year.
As travelers scrambled to visit family and friends, the demand for tickets soared, leaving nearly 20 per cent of Malaysian travelers unable to secure their preferred travel options due to limited availability.
The surge in demand prompted redBus and its partners to offer over 27,000 bus and ferry services across the nation’s most frequented routes during the festival.
Popular bus routes included journeys between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, Johor Bahru, and Kuantan. For ferry services, routes like Johor Bahru to Batam and Langkawi to Koh Lipe were in high demand.
The data further revealed that most bus travelers preferred to depart between 6:00am and 12:00pm, with 9:00am being the peak time.
Interestingly, 82 per cent of all bookings were for individual one-way tickets, indicating a strong preference for flexibility and one-way travel discounts among consumers.
The season’s busiest travel day fell on Sunday, April 14, coinciding with the 5th day of Syawal, just before the workweek resumed, leading to major congestion on several expressways as noted by the Malaysian Highway Authority.
Krishnan Ramaswami, Chief Business Officer at redBus, commented on the trends, saying, “redBus remains committed to providing truly efficient and world-class services to Malaysian bus travelers. By sharing such insights, we empower bus operators and consumers to make informed decisions, enhancing passengers’ overall travel experience. Our data-driven approach empowers us to improve and adapt to the dynamic needs of our users and bus operators. We remain dedicated to shaping the future of modern transportation in Malaysia, enriching journeys and connecting communities.”
This year’s longest bus journey was from Pasir Gudang to Kangar, covering 836 km and taking roughly 12.5 hours, underscoring the extensive network facilitated by redBus.
The platform’s early booking data also showed a keen traveler securing their bus ticket as early as 28th December 2023, demonstrating the anticipation and preparation for the festive season.
Through such detailed analyses, redBus continues to enhance the efficiency of bus travel and meeting the evolving needs of modern travelers in Malaysia.
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