CSBT: No terminal fee despite improvement

CEBU, Philippines - The management of the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) has assured that no terminal fees will be collected from the passengers once the improvement at the facility is completed.

“Our orientation as a government unit is service, not profit. This convenience of the terminal is a way of giving back good service to the people,” said CSBT operations manager Ramon Dumayac.

He said the only fees being collected are the P200 and P150 from the bus and minibus operators, respectively. Private vehicles and taxis entering the terminal will also be asked to pay P10.

He reported that among the improvement at the facility is the conversion of electrical system from single-phase to three-phase, which can carry more loads. He said the current electric power system would allow the terminal’s waiting area to be fully air-conditioned.

The upgrade of the electrical system was hampered by the absence of building permit of the terminal. Dumayac said they have already secured a building permit.

“Finally after 30 years,” he added.

He disclosed that they will be installing ceiling-mounted type of air conditioners to augment the existing units.

He said glass panels of the terminal’s waiting areas which were temporarily removed to allow better ventilation have already been reinstalled.

“Hopefully before Holy Week fully air-conditioned na atong waiting area,” he told The FREEMAN.

The air-conditioning units inside the terminal have not been functioning since August last year due to its incompatibility with the electrical system of the facility.

The CSBT manager will also purchase walk-through metal detector to beef up the security at the terminal. Additional tents and chairs are also coming in for the extended waiting area at the back of the facility.

In 2015, the terminal earned P67 million gross income. This is higher by P3 million compared to 2014. — (FREEMAN)