Long wait for buses in Sabah

July 3, 2016 Sunday
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: Some passengers may have to exercisepatience while travelling to their hometowns to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri as several buses bound for the east coast of the state have been delayed. 

Labuan based sailor Jumardi Omar, 27, said he had to wait for six hours at a bus terminal in Inanam near here as the bus to Lahad Datu was rescheduled to 430pm yesterday.

“Last year I had to sit on the floor of the bus for eight hours as I bought a bus ticket at the eleventh hour.

“This year, I booked my bus ticket earlier, but it still was not a smooth-sailing ,” he said, adding it had been a year since he last returned home.

Another passenger, who wished to be known as Mary, 31, had been waiting for a bus going to same destination since 7am.

Her husband used to drive back for the festivities but could not do so this year due to work commitments.

“The operator told us the bus was en route from elsewhere. We still have no idea when we will reach home.

“It is frustrating and tiring to be left stranded when we are all so eager to reach hometown as soon as possible.”

Mohd Khairul Iman, 10, had to take a motion sickness pill before he and his mother Zainah Abdul Rajit boarded on a six-hour bus ride to Sandakan.

Zainah said her only child was excited to see his grandparents as both were in Kuala Lumpur for six years.

“By making sure he is still looking forward of the celebration, I will ask him to sleep throughout the journey to prevent Khairul from vomiting or feeling discomfort.”

A check at the terminal also saw people carrying items such as luggages, baby stroller and walker, boxes of Raya cookies and even sets of tyres.

An enforcement team from City Hall and Road Transport Department officers were in attendance to ensure operation at the terminal were in order.