CSBT reports shortage of buses

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu South Bus Terminal reported a shortage of buses yesterday due to the influx of passengers who started to go home in time for All Saints’ and All Souls’  Day which prompted the management to call for augmentation.

As of  2 p.m. yesterday, the estimated number of passengers who trooped to the terminal to go to their hometowns reached 20,000, said Eddie Dusaban Sr., acting operations manager of the CSBT.

He said the number of passengers started to increase after lunch time since most offices declared half-day work yesterday in preparation for the holiday.

Because of the influx, the terminal management requested for additional buses from different operators and eight Suroy-Suroy buses form the provincial government which have been made available in anticipation of a bus shortage, he added.

“Daghan man ta og bus pero nalupigan man sa kadaghan sa mga pasahero, mura’g wa’y kahubsan,” he told reporters.

As of  2 p.m. yesterday, the passengers lining up reached the area in front of a nearby mall.

Elme Hermoso, one of the passengers, shared to The FREEMAN that she has been in line for almost an hour waiting for another bus to arrive going to Dumanjug town.

She said though that the flow inside the terminal went smoothly despite it being crowded.

“Sa una gyud kay nata-gam mi kay kung maabot na ang bus, magkagubot na ang mga pasahero, mangapiit mi. Karon, ok na man,” she said.

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale inspected the terminal yesterday and expressed satisfaction on the scheme implemented by the management.

“Let us be patient lang but we are happy kay they (passengers) are following instructions man,” she said.

She further directed the management to have the Suroy-Suroy buses cater first the senior citizens, pregnant, and person with disabilities.

The terminal’s management constantly reminded passengers to follow the planned system to ensure that everything would be in order.

The entrance 1 of the terminal is for passengers going to Carcar City, Sibonga, Simala, Dumanjug, Bato-Barili, Dumaguete, Santander, Oslob, Alcoy while entrance 2 is for Tuburan, Balamban, Pinamungajan, Aloguinsan, Toledo City, Lutupan.

For security, Dusaban said enough workforce were Shortage of buses in CSBT

detailed to take charge inside and outside the terminal. — Michael Vencynth H. Braga/ATO (FREEMAN)