Shipping firms note upsurge in passenger traffic

CEBU, Philippines - With the observance of  All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, shipping companies noted an upsurge on   passenger traffic with fully-booked trips in and outside of Cebu. 

Weesam Express Marketing Head Daisy Sypiecco said in an interview that the company has noted an 80 to 90 percent increase on passengers  from October 29 to date compared to  same period of last year.

“Mas daghan karon. (There are more passengers this year).  Most of our trip schedules and routes are fully-booked,” she added. 

The shipping company serves the Cebu-Ormoc and Cebu-Tagbilaran and vice versa routes with seating capacity of 396 persons per trip.

Even with the surge of passengers, Weesam did not increase  its  fares, in fact the special trips and promotions are still on, she clarified.  

Roble Shipping, Inc., on the other hand, considers its advance booking system as an advantage and competitive edge for both the company and passengers. 

Jupiter Roble, vice president for finance of Roble Shipping, said that the marketing strategy is aimed to provide convenience for its customers so they don’t have to rush during peak hours.

He  said that they started accepting bookings for travel  this week 30 days ahead unlike last year which was only 15 days.

A week before November 1, sailing schedules are already fully-booked, he said.

He further revealed that the company plans to gradually increase its advanced bookings from 6 months to one year  similar to that of  airline companies.

For  the week leading to All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, Roble  noted that there is a 100% increase in the number of passengers compared to the 50 to 60% occupancy rate during regular days. 

The company services the  routes Cebu-Hilongos, Leyte, Cebu-Ormoc City, Cebu -Naval, Biliran and Cebu- Catbalogan, Samar.  Of these routes, the most travelled, he said, is the Cebu to Ormoc. 

With the opening of its new office,  Roble Shipping increased the number of its tellers to 10  to provide faster service to its growing number of customers. — (FREEMAN)