Passengers flock to bus terminals as Holy Week exodus starts | ABS-CBN
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Passengers flock to bus terminals as Holy Week exodus starts
Passengers flock to bus terminals as Holy Week exodus starts
Commuters arriving from the provinces and departing from Metro Manila pass through Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Parañaque City on January 5, 2025, a day before workers and students return from the holidays. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
Commuters arriving from the provinces and departing from Metro Manila pass through Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Parañaque City on January 5, 2025, a day before workers and students return from the holidays. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Passengers on Friday started to crowd bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City days before the start of the Holy Week, with transportation companies bracing for an even greater surge in the coming days.
MANILA — Passengers on Friday started to crowd bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City days before the start of the Holy Week, with transportation companies bracing for an even greater surge in the coming days.
At the Superlines Bus terminal, dispatcher and inspector Gilbert Barral said all trips starting Saturday, April 12, have been fully booked.
At the Superlines Bus terminal, dispatcher and inspector Gilbert Barral said all trips starting Saturday, April 12, have been fully booked.
The company has ramped up its operations, deploying at least 100 buses, an increase from the usual 70 to 80 on regular days, to accommodate travelers bound for provinces like Quezon and Camarines Norte.
The company has ramped up its operations, deploying at least 100 buses, an increase from the usual 70 to 80 on regular days, to accommodate travelers bound for provinces like Quezon and Camarines Norte.
To further meet the demand, Superlines has applied for special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to dispatch more buses during the holiday rush.
To further meet the demand, Superlines has applied for special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to dispatch more buses during the holiday rush.
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“Iyon pong mga pasahero na ini-expect po namin dadami pa mamayang hapon o gabi. Fully booked na po kami sa mga aircon buses. Iyon naman pong walang reservation, marami kaming ordinary buses,” said Barral.
“Iyon pong mga pasahero na ini-expect po namin dadami pa mamayang hapon o gabi. Fully booked na po kami sa mga aircon buses. Iyon naman pong walang reservation, marami kaming ordinary buses,” said Barral.
Barral also gave assurance that those heading to Bicol will still be accommodated, as bus companies are working to serve as many passengers as possible.
Barral also gave assurance that those heading to Bicol will still be accommodated, as bus companies are working to serve as many passengers as possible.
'TIME TO RELAX'
One of the early travelers is Fernel Babagay, who was with his family en route to Quezon Province from Nueva Vizcaya.
One of the early travelers is Fernel Babagay, who was with his family en route to Quezon Province from Nueva Vizcaya.
He shared that they missed the 6 a.m. bus and would have to wait over three hours for the next available trip.
He shared that they missed the 6 a.m. bus and would have to wait over three hours for the next available trip.
“Para makapag-relax din naman hindi puro trabaho. Pang-refresh ng utak. Iyong utak sa trabaho parang pundido na,” said Fernel Babagay, a bus passenger.
“Para makapag-relax din naman hindi puro trabaho. Pang-refresh ng utak. Iyong utak sa trabaho parang pundido na,” said Fernel Babagay, a bus passenger.
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Meanwhile, Victory Liner’s northbound routes, including Baguio City, Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao, Zambales, and Pangasinan, are also nearing full capacity. Online bookings for April 15 to 17 have already been booked.
Meanwhile, Victory Liner’s northbound routes, including Baguio City, Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao, Zambales, and Pangasinan, are also nearing full capacity. Online bookings for April 15 to 17 have already been booked.
Chance passengers, or those who show up without prior bookings, remain a common sight, but securing a seat is not guaranteed.
Chance passengers, or those who show up without prior bookings, remain a common sight, but securing a seat is not guaranteed.
To address the influx, Victory Liner has likewise applied for special permits from the LTFRB to operate an additional 50 buses.
To address the influx, Victory Liner has likewise applied for special permits from the LTFRB to operate an additional 50 buses.
The initiative is aimed at supplementing the existing fleet to meet the high demand expected during the Holy Week break.
The initiative is aimed at supplementing the existing fleet to meet the high demand expected during the Holy Week break.
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