Express bus tickets to be sold only at licensed terminals from Nov 1, operators protest

Effective Nov 1, the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) will require that all express bus tickets be sold solely through licensed terminals, ending one outlet practice of allowing sales via operators' websites and third-party agents. The Malaysian Bus Operators Association, headed by Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali, received the notice without prior consultation and warned that members have invested in online platforms that generate QR codes for boarding.

The new circular grants terminals exclusive rights over ticket sales and imposes a commercial fee regime, charging operators directly for digital services. While purchases through online travel agencies are still permitted when terminals are owned by the operators, the change could disrupt existing digital sales channels. Apad confirmed the directive was issued on Oct 16 and has yet to meet with the association to clarify the matter.