Avoid buying tickets from touts - SPAD

The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) has urged members of the public who wish to return to their respective hometowns in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri to not buy tickets from touts at any bus terminal.

Its Enforcement Division chief Datuk Che Hasni Che Ahmad said the public should buy their tickets at the official counters to avoid being cheated by ticket touts who would take the opportunity to sell bus tickets at a higher price than the original price.

"Members of the public are reminded to purchase tickets over the counter and not outside the counter. In addition, consumers must also ensure that the bus tickets are printed and not handwritten," he told reporters after conducting a check on ticket tout activities at the temporary bus terminal in Section 13, here today.

Che Hasni said SPAD had found out that the ticket touts would mingle around at bus terminals and counters to fish for their ''victims'' and offered tickets to those who were desperately in need to return to their hometowns, in which the buses might not even exist.

During the walkabout, he said SPAD had detained five individuals, including those from Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam, who were alleged to have been operating as touts at the bus terminal.

The suspects are being investigated under Section Section 205 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 (Act 715).

-- BERNAMA