THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) said that this year’s Holy Week was less congested, compared to the previous years, due to the changes implemented in the terminal.
In a previous report, the terminal is expected to reach more than 75,000 passengers, both north and south bound.
DCOTT head Aisa Usop said the decongestion of waiting passengers inside the terminal, especially on the eve of Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, were due to the number of buses that were earlier deployed by the bus companies.
Usop said bus companies were already requested a month ago to apply for a special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“Wala man gud namo na-prepare last year nga ana kadaghan ang mga passengers (Last year we were not prepared to cater to so many passengers),” Usop said on Saturday, April 20.
She said 1,500 buses were deployed during Wednesday and Thursday, the most hectic day of the Lenten week.
“Tungod sa daghag buses nga na-deploy ana, medyo gamay nalang ang waiting time. Mukabat sa 15 to 20 minutes nalang, unlike last year nga dugay kaayo (Due to the number of buses deployed, the passengers only had to wait around 15 to 20 minutes before they can get on a bus. Last year, they have to wait for quite a long time),” Usop said.
She also said that exits routes were changed from Gate 2 back to Gate 1, to avoid traffic congestion, which causes the delay of the bus arrivals.
“Gidesisyon namo, as studied by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), nga ibalik siya sa Gate 1. Kay ang Gate 2, maagihan sa mga pasahero, maong di makita sa mga guard tungod maalihan naman sa bus (Based on the study of CTTMO, we decided to make Gate 1 as the exit for the buses. Most passengers pass by Gate 2 and the guards cannot see them because they are being blocked by exiting buses),” Usop said.
She also said passengers were observed to be more disciplined this year as they pay attention to signage now, since DCOTT obliged all bus companies to provide signage, especially for pregnant women, persons with disabilities and senior citizen.
Usop said that DCOTT is expected to be hectic starting today, Easter Sunday, until Monday, April 22.