PASSENGERS eager to return home to their respective provinces flocked to the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) on the first day of the resumption of bus trips on Monday, June 1.
In a radio interview Monday with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio, she said there is already a process in place for passengers at Dcott to safely accommodate those who will return to their provinces and minimize the risk of transmission of the disease.
“Ang pag-resume sa atoang Dcott is mag-depend jud na sa allowed sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) nga mga buses nga mubiyahe. Ang atoang LTFRB kasabot man sila nga duna nay new normal, dunay distancing nag requirement sa mga bus so ang mga bus dili najud maka-carry ug daghan kaayo nga mga pasahero and aware sila ani nga situation (The resumption of bus operations at Dcott will depend on the LTFRB. LTFRB understands the new normal situation. There will be distancing as requirements for the buses so they can no longer load more passengers),” Duterte-Carpio said.
The mayor also said LTFRB is aware of the demand for bus transport coming from Davao City, which was observed in Monday's scenario at the entrance of the terminal.
LTFRB-Davao allowed the opening of identified routes between Davao City and Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
Only one trip per day is allowed under the authority of a special permit for the operation of public transportation under general community quarantine.
Dcott head Aiza Usop earlier said they have put signages and stickers as guides for passengers to maintain social distancing. Sanitation areas are also provided.
There are no bus tickets that can be bought in advance, instead it will be a first come first serve basis for the passengers.
LTFRB-Davao regional director Armand B. Dioso acknowledged that there is a huge demand for bus transportation, however, they cannot open new routes due to pending approval from different local government units.
Dioso added that they have no problem allowing more buses to accommodate passengers as long as the LGUs are ready.
“We are just waiting po sa LGU sa province. Sila kasi ang nag advise na one trip per day muna. We are communicating and coordinating with them,” Dioso said yesterday.
Bus trips were supposed to resume last May 25, however, LTFRB noted that there are some LGUs who are not yet ready to accept passengers coming from Davao, thus, moving bus operation resumption only yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dioso added that a provisional increase of fare is also implemented given that only a few passengers are allowed in each trip.