THE Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is anticipating a surge of approximately 180,000 passengers this Friday, marking the start of the peak travel season leading up to Christmas week. With most scheduled trips already fully booked, travelers are flocking to the terminal to make their way to provinces, particularly in Bicol and the Visayas regions.
According to a “24 Oras” report by Oscar Oida, PITX management has assured the public that despite the high demand, additional trips are being added by bus companies, with some offering up to four extra trips daily.
The terminal expects passenger volume to reach 200,000 by December 23. As of 6 p.m. on Friday, PITX had already recorded around 140,000 passengers.
“Hopefully, di matraffic… pero since uwian na talaga, baka traffic na agad, but hoping makarating maaga,” said passenger Dina Fey Lidwa, who arrived at PITX three hours before her trip to Benguet.
(Hopefully, we won’t face heavy traffic… but since it’s around the time when everyone heads home, heavy traffic is expected, but I’m hoping we can arrive early.)
Stringent security measures are in place at PITX, including the establishment of PNP help desks to assist travelers.
Meanwhile, other bus terminals in Metro Manila are experiencing similar surges in demand. In Cubao, Quezon City, air-conditioned buses bound for the Bicol Region are fully booked until December 31, with only regular buses available on a first-come, first-served basis.
