SIBU, May 28 — The usual pre-Gawai rush at the Sibu Bus Terminal appears more subdued this year, with ticketing operators reporting fewer passengers travelling by express bus compared to previous years.

BusAsia ticketing clerk Megan Nyanau, 50, said the crowd was noticeably smaller despite the festive season approaching.

“Last year, many morning trips were already half booked two to three days earlier, especially for routes between Kuching and Sibu. This year, the crowd is less,” she said when met at the terminal on Wednesday.

She said the decline in over-the-counter sales could be due to the growing popularity of online ticket bookings, as well as more travellers opting to use their own vehicles.

“Passengers now buy tickets online, so counter sales are slower. Maybe more people are travelling using their own transport as well,” she said.

However, she expects passenger numbers to rise during the post-festive return period.

“We expect the return crowd to increase on June 4, 5 and 6 when people start going back to work and school,” she added.

On safety measures, she said BusAsia strictly enforces regulations, including checking travel documents and ensuring all passengers comply with safety requirements.

“Our drivers are very strict. Passengers without valid travel documents or passports will not be allowed to board,” she said, adding that all buses are equipped with Speed Limit Devices (SLD) and seat belt use is compulsory.

Meanwhile, first-time Gawai traveller Justin Sintau, 39, said his journey home to his longhouse in Tatau carried special meaning this year.

The Kapit-based general worker said he managed to secure his ticket easily and was relieved by the lack of congestion at the terminal.

“My employer only gives annual leave once a year, so I’m happy to finally go back home,” he said.

He said he especially missed his mother’s cooking at Rumah Ngumbang in Tatau and looked forward to celebrating Gawai with his family.

Another traveller, John Lengkak, 50, a welder originally from Sri Aman, flew from Johor to Sibu before continuing his journey by bus to Kapit for Gawai at his wife’s longhouse in Mujong.

He said he booked his flight months earlier to avoid higher festive fares.

“Luckily I booked early, otherwise the airfare would have been much more expensive,” he said.

He added that bus ticket availability at Sibu terminal was still manageable, though he expected more last-minute travellers.

“I hope to enjoy my 10-day holiday before returning to work in Johor,” he said. — The Borneo Post