KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Many who are returning home to celebrate Hari Raya will have to settle for late night bus and train rides as tickets for the normal trips have all been sold out.

Graphic designer Nor Zurairah Md Termizi, 24, said she wanted to return to her hometown the week after Raya but had to change her plans at the last minute.

"My mother called me and asked that I come back on the first day of Raya. I was a bit reluctant because it was a little too late to get a bus ticket back to Ipoh. So, I decided to take the train.

"I was hoping to get an earlier train but when I checked at the counter, I was only able to get a ticket for the last train at 11.40pm,” she said.

She added that she did not mind the longer hours getting back home as trains were more comfortable than buses.

Software sales staff Subaidah Hamid, 26, from Butterworth said she was planning to drive back to Penang with her friends but due to unforeseen circumstances, she would have to take a train.

"The friend who was supposed to drive has to stay back as she has a last-minute project that is due a few days after Raya. It is disappointing as we were looking forward to celebrate with our friends from high school. Also, because of this, I have no choice but to travel at the night,” she said.

She added this was her first time taking the intercity train to go home for Raya.

Mohd Taufiq Nordin, 35, said he and his family would be taking the train this year as he felt the buses plying at night were unsafe.

"There have been so many bus accidents over the years that happened during the night. I would rather take the train with my family as it will be much safer and more comfortable despite the high ticket price,” said the father of three, who will be travelling to Alor Star.

It is learnt bus tickets for the Hari Raya period at the Integrated Transportation Terminal- Bandar Tasik Selatan are only available for journeys starting at 11pm.

University student Mohd Rafiq Mohd Baharuddin, 20, said he had procrastinated purchasing a bus ticket.

"I planned to buy my ticket to Gerik but I got too involved in my assignments and time just flew by.

"However, I am thankful that I am still able to get a ride back home. It is still available ... better than nothing,” he said.

Mechanic Muhammad Salleh Mohd Zamri, 39, said he had just bought his bus ticket because he had to wait for his employer to approved his leave.

"In my line of work, my employer has to ensure there are enough staff working throughout the week. It took him some time to decide but thankfully, he approved my leave. This is the first time I am taking off this year. I look forward to celebrating Raya with my family,” he said.

He added that he would rather take the train back to Johor but it was too costly for him.

In George Town, checks at the Sungai Nibong bus terminal revealed tickets from Penang to east coast states are selling fast.

An agent for SP Bumi Express, who wished to be known only as Ina, said tickets for Kelantan and Terengganu had been selling fast and passengers had snapped up tickets several weeks before the fasting month.

"Tickets for the eve of Hari Raya sold out very early and there are a few more seats available for the day before the eve. 

"Some other bus companies are still offering tickets as they have hired extra buses to cater for the high demand,” she said.

Adik Beradik Express ticketing agent said university and college students have been flocking to bus terminals on weekends to purchase tickets to return home for the festival.

 She said most of the students will be returning home from today onwards.

"Students have been coming here for the last three weeks.

"Civil servants and those employed in the private sector will be returning home from July 1 onwards,” said the agent, who declined to be named.

Tickets to destinations in the east coast were priced between RM41.80 and RM50.60.

Meanwhile, bus tickets from Penang to Kuala Lumpur and Johor are still available, said Newsia Express ticket counter staff Mohd Fariz Rosli.

He said his company operated 30 buses during the Hari Raya season as there was a good demand.

"Tickets for 20 buses are fully booked while tickets for the remaining 10 buses are still available.”

He also said there would be no buses operating on the first day of Hari Raya.

In Butterworth, train tickets to destinations in the south are almost sold out, with only tickets for July 2 and 3 still available.

"About 95 per cent of the tickets for destinations in the south, including to Kuala Lumpur, are already sold out, especially tickets for ETS services.

Some customers also bought their tickets online, he said, adding that many who turned up at the station to enquire about tickets to the south were left disappointed and have opted to take a bus.

Abdul Rahman Ismail, 45, a freight forwarding company employee from Seberang Jaya, said he prefers to travel by train to his hometown in Seremban.

"But this time, I was late in booking the tickets so I will have to take the bus,” he said.