Passengers flock to the bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon, on Friday as Holy Week approaches.
Transportation companies are preparing for the high influx of passengers as the exodus starts.
At the Superlines Bus terminal, dispatcher and inspector Gilbert Barral reported that all trips starting Saturday, April 12, are fully booked.
To meet the surge in demand, the company has increased its operations by deploying at least 100 buses—up from the usual 70 to 80 on regular days—to serve passengers heading to provinces such as Quezon and Camarines Norte.
Superlines has applied for special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to accommodate further the high demand to deploy additional buses during the holiday rush.
“Iyon pong mga pasahero na ini-expect po namin dadami pa mamayang hapon o gabi. Fully booked na po kami sa mga aircon buses. Iyon naman pong walang reservation, marami kaming ordinary buses,” said Barral.
Barral assured the public that passengers bound for Bicol will still be accommodated, as bus companies are doing their best to serve as many travelers as possible.
Victory Liner’s northbound routes—including Baguio City, Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao, Zambales, and Pangasinan—are also approaching full capacity, with online bookings from April 15 to 17 already filled.
Possibly, passengers, or those arriving without prior reservations, will continue to line up, though securing a seat remains uncertain.
To handle the surge in travelers during the Holy Week break, Victory Liner has also applied for special permits from the LTFRB to deploy an additional 50 buses, aiming to boost their existing fleet and accommodate the increased demand.
