This will take effect from April 29 until May 8, with a 10 sen increase per kilometre above the current rates.

Pan Malaysia Bus Operators Association president Ashfar Ali said the increase is to cover labour and travel costs and will be used for new bus insurance.

“A total of 4,700 express buses will operate during this period carrying 141,000 passengers to destinations nationwide,” Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying.

With the increase, bus tickets from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, currently priced at RM46.20, will increase by RM4 to RM50.20, for example, while a trip from TBS to Larkin, Johor, will cost RM35 compared with RM30 previously.

Ashfar said there are no plans to increase the number of buses operating during the festive period for fear that a higher number of passenger movements could increase the spread of Covid-19.

He advised the public to book tickets two weeks in advance, arrive at the bus terminal 30 minutes before their journey, and comply with SOPs.

Hari Raya is expected to fall on May 3.