Operators said tickets on certain days, like just before the Lunar New Year, are almost fully sold out.
This is good news for an industry that has been battered by the opening of the Malaysia-Singapore air route to low cost carriers.
It's boom time for operators of bus services to Malaysian towns. They said tickets for trips during the week of the Lunar New Year are moving very fast with some customers making bookings as early as November last year.
This is despite the fact that prices have almost doubled.
Tan Boo Huat, manager, Grassland Express, said: "We started selling tickets in November and it was sold out within a short time. A lot of people are worried they won't be back in time for the Lunar New Year."
Ken Lim, managing director, Five Stars Tours, said: "We're almost sold out, about 90 per cent. The only seats left are to places that are not as popular or further. We are adding more buses so there may be more seats available."
Still, the brisk business now belies the fact that many customers are dumping buses for airplanes.
Operators said they've seen a 30 per cent dip in business since low cost carriers were allowed to fly the Singapore-Malaysia route in February 2008.
Sebastian Yip, committee member, Express Bus Agencies Association, said: "From Johore to KL, I think the business is not much affected. It's beyond KL, like
So some coach operators have cut prices to as low as nine dollars to
Mr Tan added: "We have to change our operating model. So in the low season, we have to cut prices and during the peak season, if passengers are willing to pay more, we'll have to charge more."
Besides price, operators are focusing their efforts on raising the level of service and bringing passengers to places not yet served by budget carriers. - CNA/vm
Brought to you by
CWBHub LLP
No comments:
Post a Comment