Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said there was still plenty of bus tickets available.

"It's still early to tell, but there has not been a mad rush to buy bus tickets so far" he said.

"Sales have been brisk but not out of the ordinary," he added.

Ashfar said this could be due to change in holiday plans as some families had opted not to travel because of the exam period, while some are still celebrating Syawal.

"However, we are prepared for a surge in demand at the end of the week. Operators can immediately mobilise additional buses and increase the frequency of trips."

Konsortium Transnasional Bhd executive director Tengku Hasmadi Tengku Hashim said the company would increase the frequency of trips to major destinations on Friday, despite ticket sales being normal.

"The situation is still manageable, but we have taken necessary measures for a sudden demand," he said, adding that the demand at Deepavali was not as high as during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year period.

"It is only when the celebrations fall really close to each other that there is a mad rush for tickets," he said.

As for trains, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad said many return tickets to intercity destinations had been sold.

It had already sold 4,800 tickets to major destinations on Oct 24 and would be increasing the number of coaches to meet the holiday rush. Tickets for Oct 26 and 27 are still available.