Fewer buses; commuters urged to be at terminals early

Commuters going home for the Holy Week are encouraged to be at the bus terminals early so that they can also reach their destinations early.

Director Ahmed Cuizon of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) made the call yesterday since the LTFRB wouldn’t allow 30 buses in Cebu and 20 more in Bohol to ply their routes.

This developed after the LTFRB approved a resolution fixing the maximum age of buses and minibuses at 15 years.

Cuizon said not allowing the 30 buses or around 40 percent of the buses plying Cebu to travel would also mean a longer waiting time for passengers to get on the bus at the terminals.

He said that the LTRFB didn’t issue special permits to these 30 old buses but the agency did give special permits to 46 buses to travel outside their routes.

He advised commuters to also consider taking other modes of transportation like the vehicles-for-hire or V-Hires or jeepneys to reach their destinations instead of going by bus.

Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale said she and Cuizon would visit tomorrow the province’s seaports, bus  terminals, and airport to check on the situation of these facilities in accommodating the commuters.

Meanwhile, more police patrols will be conducted in bus stations, seaports and churches in the province as police also step up their preparations for the Holy Week.

Senior Supt. Edward Carranza, chief of the Regional Directorial Staff, said yesterday that police in the region were on heightened alert status.

Carranza said that aside from more police visibility, they would also set up public assistance centers at the seaports and bus terminals.

“Based on reviewed plans among of the key points is to provide maximum police presence in populated areas like beaches where tourists mostly gather,” Carranza said.

Carranza also called on the public to be always vigilant and report suspicious looking persons immediately to police./Correspondents Carmel Loise Matus and Chito O. Aragon