By GMA News
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Several passengers have started traveling to the provinces more than a week ahead of Undas, filling bus terminals early either to beat the holiday rush or to secure their tickets before the surge of crowds.
In a “24 Oras” report by Marisol Abdurahman on Friday, security at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) was noticeably tighter, with baggage required to undergo inspection and scanning, while K-9 units were also deployed to check some bags.
The PITX expects passenger volume to reach up to 1.8 million from October 25 to November 4, but noted that some commuters might schedule their trips with the long weekend for the ASEAN Summit from November 16 to 18.
Several passengers queued at ticketing booths—some were buying tickets on-site, others who booked online were retrieving their boarding passes, while some found that tickets to their destinations had already sold out.
Precila Macatangay, a passenger, went to PITX early hoping to travel to Bicol immediately. However, she was only able to secure a 9 p.m. trip.
“Wala nang available. Mas maganda sana earlier para kunyari dating namin dun para umaga safe kami sa pag-uwi sa kaniya-kaniyang baloy,” Macatangay said.
(No earlier trips were available. It would have been better to leave earlier so we could arrive in the morning and safely head to our respective homes.)
Some passengers also went directly to the terminal to purchase tickets after seeing that the next available trips online were already scheduled for Sunday.
According to PITX, certain routes really fill up quickly, but they are assured that there will be enough trips for the Undas exodus.
“Makakasakay at makakasakay pa rin sila dito sa PITX dahil marami naman tayong nakaabang na additional units,” PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador said.
(They will definitely be able to get a ride here at PITX because we have plenty of additional bus units standing by.)
At the Araneta Bus Port in Cubao, Quezon City, the situation remains quiet, although some travelers have also opted to head to the provinces early for Undas.
A passenger shared that while they usually travel to their province in their private vehicle, they chose to commute this year due to high fuel prices.
“Sayang naman ‘yung gas, mas mahal sobrang mahal… Para makatipid, sakto lalo't may inaasahan na namang tataas ang presyo ng diesel sa susunod na linggo,” said Merlee Mendoza, a passenger.
(Gasoline is too expensive now... To save money, commuting makes sense, especially with another diesel price hike expected next week.)
The Araneta City Bus Port management stated that they are also expecting an influx of province-bound passengers in the coming days.
“We will be expecting ng karagdagan ding ruta. May ini-expect kaming isang operator papasok to Bicol,” Araneta City Bus Port Manager Ramon Legazpi said.
(We are expecting additional routes. We expect one operator to open trips heading to Bicol.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News