MANILA, Philippines – Passenger volume at the Araneta Center bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City is expected to swell further on Holy Wednesday.
There are two terminals at the Araneta Center – the bus terminal for non-air-conditioned buses along times Square Avenue, and the bus port for air-conditioned buses along General Romulo Avenue.
Araneta Bus Terminal General Manager Ramon Legaspi on Tuesday said that the terminal has served an average of 6,000 passengers daily since last Friday
The number is expected to peak to 8,000 by Wednesday, the last working day of the Holy Week.
“Today, we might expect a little bit higher. so maybe close to 7,000, but definitely expected namin bukas yung dagsa considering that it would be the last day of work, it’s Wednesday, and then holiday na tayo the following day,” Legaspi told INQUIRER.net.
“So inaasahan namin yung paghahanda rin ng ating mga security guard pati na rin sa tulong ng Station 7 in providing us additional police personnel,” he added.
Legaspi said that compared to last year, the bus terminal recorded a 10 percent increase in Holy Week passengers.
He also noted that nearly 200 buses departed from the terminal on Monday.
Securing the public
Despite the influx of passengers at the terminal, Legaspi said that no untoward incident has so far been reported since Friday.
Legaspi said additional security personnel and police officers have been assigned to secure the facility.
Security measures on buses
“Through the government agency, LTO, they check the condition of the buses whether in good condition ba ito. They check the tires, the signal lights, and the break, which is very important,” Legaspi said.
“Kapag hindi sila pumasa dito, pinapabalik ng garahe ito, either palitan nila yung pudpod na gulong, or ayusin nila yung mga breaks nila or ilaw,” he added.
Book in advance, come early
Legaspi then advised the public to book early in order to avoid any inconvenience.
He also urged the passengers to arrive early at the bus terminals.
“Hanggat maaari sa mga ganitong okasyon ay inaasahan natin ang dagsa ng mga pasahero na nagtsa-tsansa na makasakay rin, mangyare pumunta dito, pumarito sila sa bus port or sa bus station nang maaga para hindi nila maexperience yung inconvenience ng pagpila, taking their chances, and later maging chance passenger rin,” he said.
“Ganon pa naman, sa mga darating pang okasyon, kung meron na silang petsa in mind na isasakay nila, at least a week or two weeks before, eh magpabook, o magpreserve, or bumili na sila ng ticket,” he added. /gsg