DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) expects about 80, 000 passengers daily from October 31 to November 2, as travelers head home for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
Aisa Usop, DCOTT manager, said in a press briefing Wednesday that about 1, 500 bus trips are scheduled daily to manage the passenger influx, up from the usual 700 to 800 trips.
“During Undas, we anticipate between 1, 000 and 1, 500 bus trips per day,” she said.
The DCOTT is setting up extra entrance lanes for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women. Additionally, Usop said the Southern Bus Operators Association was asked to apply for special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 11 (Davao) in case of a bus shortage.
Security has been enhanced inside the terminal, with police deployed to maintain order around the premises, Usop added.
Additional routes launched
In the same briefing, LTFRB-11 Director Nonito Llanos III announced four new routes under the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS), designed to ease rush-hour demand for public transportation.
“Originally, we had 10 routes, but with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office, we’ve added four more,” Llanos said.
The PHABS will operate between 5 a.m.-8 a.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m. to help alleviate public utility vehicle shortages.
Initiated in December last year to address holiday demand, the PHABS continues to provide essential transport options as many public vehicles have yet to resume operations post-pandemic. (PNA)