CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu South Bus Terminal management has assured there are enough buses for Christmas and that it is prepared should there be a sudden increase of passengers at the terminal.
CSBT Acting Operations Manager Eddie Dusaban said that if needed, they would also request from Capitol the use of the Suroy-Suroy buses.
He, however, said that based on experience, there are fewer passengers during Christmas compared to Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Dusaban said that the number of people who troop to the terminal in going to their hometowns to celebrate Christmas and New Year is usually lower compared to last November 1 and 2, where the around 400 buses failed to cope with the demand. That time, the Cebu Provincial Government deployed
Suroy-Suroy buses that were used for free.
Dusaban attributed the expected smaller crowd at the terminal this Christmas and New Year to the long vacation since most students already had their Christmas break as early as last Friday.
He, however, said they expect the number of passengers to grow by tomorrow, as offices have declared a half-day work so employees could prepare for the holidays, often by going to their respective hometowns.
Security measures and the traffic scheme implemented last November 1 and 2 would also be adopted for Christmas and New Year, with the CSBT setting p railings and signage today for the ‘smooth’ flow of vehicle and crowd traffic inside the terminal.
Policemen and additional personnel from the Capitol Civil Security Unit would also be detailed inside the terminal to improve security.
“Di ta magproblema sa security diri sa south bus kay naa man tay ipadala gikan sa Capitol,” Dusaban said.
In a separate interview, Jone Siegfred Sepe, Provincial General Services Office chief, said the province has already bought 12 tents that CSBT would set up at the back of the terminal to shelter passengers waiting for a ride. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/RHM (FREEMAN)