THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) will resume its 24-hour operation beginning Monday, November 15, 2021.
This was announced by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) on Friday, November 12.
Dcott Head Aisa Usop told SunStar Davao in a phone interview that the CTTMO board that this was a result of the resolution from the Southern Mindanao Bus Operators Association (SMBOA) requesting for the bus terminal in the city to operate 24 hours.
Following the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 59 lifting the 24-hour liquor ban and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in the city effective October 26, 2021, Usop said the request was lobbied to the board members, resulting in it being granted.
Prior to the approval, the official said they had to communicate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and other local government units (LGUs) in neighboring provinces within and outside Davao Region to check on their current quarantine classification.
Before the resumption of the 24-hour operation, all of the available routes have resumed their trip since it was temporarily suspended during the early part of the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, around 800 buses operated within and outside the terminal, while 1,000 buses operated during peak seasons.
“Despite na 24 hours na ta, makita gihapon nato nga dili ingon parehas sa una nga before the pandemic kay daghan ta og pasahero (our operation adjusted to 24 hours, we can see that the influx of passengers and buses is not before the pandemic since we had more passengers back then),” Usop said.
she said they are expecting that more passengers will influx this December due to the Christmas season.
The official said that the riding public can expect more buses to operate as bus companies are now mandated to follow the trip interval to cater to more passengers.
Despite the gradual normalization of operations within the bus terminal, she said that porters are still not allowed
Meanwhile, Usop said minimum health protocols will still be implemented inside the terminal, and within buses.
Passengers are also reminded to bring their valid ID and vaccine card in case checkpoint personnel in their area of destination would ask them to present it.
According to the LTFRB memorandum circular, all public utility vehicles, including buses are mandated to observe the 50 percent maximum seating capacity.