THE DAVAO City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) management is bracing for the rush of travelers going home to their provinces for All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.
DCOTT manager Aisa Usop said the “Ber” months are the busiest of the year, beginning on Oct. 30, when people go home to visit their loved ones.
During Kalag-Kalag season, the daily bus trips double from the usual 700-800 daily to 1,000-1,500. Passengers, on the other hand, range from 50,000 to 80,000 daily compared to the usual 35,000.
“We cannot pre-empt the exact date of the influx, but we are expecting it as we approach the last week of October,” Usop said.
Usop encouraged commuters to secure bus tickets online before their scheduled trips to avoid congestion at ticketing lines. Travelers who secured tickets will be prioritized at the gates.
The Southern Mindanao Bus Operators Association is also told to coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to request special permits for additional routes.
The LTFRB is also asked to establish a station in DCOTT to cater to special permits for buses wishing to service destinations outside of their usual routes.
Usop added that DCOTT will conduct a surprise drug test for bus drivers to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“We are aware that the lives of the passengers are in the hands of the drivers,” she added.
At present, there are 21 bus companies operating for northbound and southbound trips, such as Mindanao Star, Metro Shuttle, Rural Transit, Bachelor Express, LCI, PhilTranco, ECF, among others.
