THE DAVAO City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) anticipates more than 1,000 bus trips a day, equivalent to 50,000 to 75,000 passengers, for the Holy Week.
DCOTT manager Aisa Usop said they had already observed the influx on Friday last week, March 29, and had coordinated with the bus operators regarding applying for special permits in advance.
However, she said that operators can also expect fewer passengers to arrive at the terminal due to the price hikes in diesel and gasoline.
She also said that there is no directive from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) yet on the fare hike.
Security within the terminal continues to heighten with CCTV monitoring, X-ray baggage machine at the passenger entrance, and the coordination of Task Force Davao despite anticipating low passenger numbers.
Usop has also requested orientations to refresh the security personnel and stakeholders of the terminal on the culture of security.
DCOTT has catered an average of 700 to 800 daily bus trips during normal days.
Last Mar 14, the LTFRB announced the approval of a P0.35-P1 fare increase for provincial buses. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended the fare hike on March 18 and instead ordered a subsidy for drivers.
