AS THE holiday season approaches, Dabawenyos is bracing for an influx of public commuters starting Christmas break, Friday, December 20, 2024.
Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) manager Aisa Usop, during a Davao Peace and Security press briefing on Wednesday, December 18, revealed that the terminal is expecting around 80,000 passengers — higher than the initial estimates.
“While I predicted a surge in November, it didn’t materialize. However, this December, especially starting this Friday, we expect a significant increase. We saw a notable influx of passengers last Friday, December 13,” Usop told Davao media.
During peak days, typically three days before Christmas and New Year and the days immediately following, DCOTT anticipates 1,500 bus trips daily, translating to 75,000 to 80,000 passengers.
Usop also noted that several bus companies will continue operating during Christmas and New Year's Day, depending on passenger demand.
“To accommodate the surge, we’ve relaxed the 30-minute interval rule. Once a bus reaches capacity, it will depart immediately to allow other buses to enter. This flexibility will be crucial during the peak holiday periods. While smaller operators may not have trips on those days, major companies will continue to provide service,” she added.
Dcott is also prepared to handle the increased passenger volume to avoid delays and ensure smooth operations.
“Effective coordination with bus operators and partner agencies is crucial to ensure smooth operations during this busy period,” Usop added. DEF