Parañaque terminal readies for passenger surge

The P5.6-billion Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, the country’s first landport, can accommodate 200,000 passengers. (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), a major transportation hub in Metro Manila, will increase the number of buses this weekend as it prepares for a spike in passengers heading to the provinces for the All Saints’ Day holiday.

PITX corporate affairs head Jason Salvador said it expected passengers to swell to up to 65,000 a day from the current 50,000 to 55,000 a day. The number of city and provincial buses currently operating out of the terminal number 1,800, and PITX has asked transport officials and transport operators that this be increased, Salvador said on Thursday.

“Toward the weekend, since we’re anticipating an increase in passengers, we’re preparing around 2,000 to 2,200 buses,” Salvador said at the Laging Handa briefing. —LEILA B. SALAVERRIA