KUALA LUMPUR — Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) is expected to receive approximately 175,000 passengers throughout this year’s Deepavali festive period, a 20 per cent increase compared to the same festive season last year.

TMAS Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Shazwan Mohammad said the figure is expected to be recorded over a seven-day period starting yesterday until November 11, with an average of about 25,000 passengers per day.

He said that to ensure smooth operations during the period, TMAS as the operator of TBS will add personnel, including hiring part-time staff to assist with operational smoothness at TBS.

“We are also asking online ticket agents (OTAs) to send their own personnel to facilitate matters for passengers who purchase tickets through their respective platforms,” he said at a media session with Bernama at TBS here today.

Shazwan said TBS also expects a total of 10,000 bus departures and more than 4,000 bus arrivals throughout the period.

He said the surge in demand is also influenced by school holidays and the presence of foreign tourists who purchase tickets at the last minute.