PETALING JAYA, Dec 31 — Express bus companies are opting for longer routes to the east coast states to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely.
Utama Express bus operations manager Abdul Malik Faisal said they resumed their east coast trips to Kemaman, Kuala Terengganu and Dungun on Monday night.
“However, the trip takes an extra three hours because the drivers take the longer route from Kuala Pilah in Negri Sembilan to Segamat in Johor, and then exit Bandar Tun Razak Muadzam Shah in Kuantan to head for the east coast,” he said.
“Although it takes half a day of travelling, passengers arrive at their destinations safely.”
Another company, Sani Express, takes the same route.
“We have to take the exit in Bandar Tun Razak Muadzam Shah to reach Kemaman because the East Coast Highway exit at Kemaman is flooded,” said the company’s operations manager, Razali Hassan.
“In the case of Terengganu, we are only able to reach Kuala Terengganu.”
Darul Naim Express bus operations manager Zalizam Zakaria confirmed their buses were able to travel to Kelantan.
“We have buses departing from the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Bandar Tasik Selatan on Monday night to Kota Baru and Rantau Panjang at 9.30pm and 10.15pm, respectively,” he said.
TBS senior operations manager Faizal Redza said most bus operators resumed their trips to the east coast yesterday.
“The areas in Kelantan are now accessible by road as the floods have subsided,” he said.
“However, for Terengganu, the road is only open to Kuala Terengganu.”
