THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) reported a 100-percent increase in passenger volume on December 22 and 23.
Dcott head Aisa Usop, in an interview Wednesday, December 27, said the number of passengers doubled to a range of 60,000 to 80,000 from the usual 30,000 to 40,000 on regular days.
She said the increase in passengers prompted them to request for a special permit for additional buses.
“Nagdagdag ta kay dili nato mapasakay ug dali ang mga pasahero tungod sa kadaghan gyud (We allowed more bus trips to cater more passengers),” Usop said.
“Nihangyo ta sa operations sa Rural Transit na pirmahan ang special permit ug diha gyud gipirmahan ang permit (We asked then operations of Rural Transit to sign the special permit and there and then it was signed),” she said.
Usop also said that there were 10 to 20 more buses permitted to accommodate passengers going to Cagayan de Oro City and other areas. The permit issued is good until January 2 next year.
“Karong tuiga ang mas pinakadaghan ang mga pasahero padulong ug CDO compared sa mga niaging tuig (This year, we have the most number of passengers going to CDO than in past years),” she said, adding that the usual number of passengers doubled this year.
There were no recorded major incidents at the bus terminal but the security in the area remains tight.
“So far, very peaceful ang Dcott. In fact, wala pud tay nadawat na reklamo sa mga porters and peddlers, wala pud (So far, DCOTT has been peaceful and there were even no complaints against porters and peddlers),” she said, adding that passengers were also following instructions especially during baggage checking.