To address passenger congestion: Satellite terminals activated

CEBU, Philippines — As passenger traffic steadily climbs ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays, additional satellite terminals have been activated alongside Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) and Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to ease congestion and provide more space for the growing number of homebound travelers.

Cebu South Bus Terminal and Cebu North Bus Terminal administrator, Ahmed Cuizon, have declared readiness to accommodate the influx of passengers returning to their respective provinces during the yuletide season.

Cuizon said that passenger volume is projected to peak on December 22 and 23, as well as on December 29 and 30, dates that traditionally coincide with heightened travel for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

To manage the expected increase, transport authorities reintroduced satellite terminals that were previously utilized during Kalag-Kalag Week, a move that significantly reduced overcrowding at the main terminals.

For southbound trips, designated satellite terminals include the Ceres Transport garage in Barangay Kinasang-an, Pardo, Cebu City, and the Sunrays Transport garage in Barangay Mambaling, located beneath the flyover near F. Vestil and C. Padilla Streets.

Northbound passengers, on the other hand, may board buses at loading areas near UN Avenue and Marcelo Fernan Bridge across Wilcon Depot in Barangay Paknaan, as well as at the Ceres Transport garage at the North Reclamation Area across the S&R Shopping Warehouse.

Cuizon said these alternative boarding areas are intended to decongest the main terminals by dispersing passengers to multiple pick-up locations.

“Mahimong ang atong mga igsuong pasahero mosakay didtong dapita aron di maghuot sa Cebu North Bus and South Bus Terminal,” said Cuizon.

He added that the expansion of pick-up points is consistent with the directive of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro to ensure orderly travel conditions and prevent passengers from enduring long queues during peak days.

These directives where in accordance to Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro to ensure smooth services so that constituents will not have to endure long queues as passengers.

Cuizon noted that the effectiveness of satellite terminals during previous peak seasons prompted officials to replicate the Kalag-Kalag strategy for this yuletide’s expected congestion.

“Atong gidugangan ang mga pickup points ug mga satellite terminals kay nakita nato nga successful sa niaging kalag-kalag,” he added.

To ensure smooth operations, Cuizon said a coordination meeting was conducted with bus operators, terminal supervisors, and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to finalize deployment and traffic management plans.

Security and crowd control measures have also been reinforced, with additional personnel deployed from the Provincial Government Security Office and the Civilian Security Unit.

Support teams from the Provincial Health Office, Philippine National Police, and other have likewise been mobilized to maintain order and conduct health monitoring within terminal premises.

Cuizon said passenger numbers are already showing an upward trend as the holidays approach.

“With the satellite terminals and pick-up points in place, passengers should experience a more convenient and orderly boarding process,” Cuizon said.

Terminal management expects the combined use of main and satellite terminals to significantly reduce waiting time and improve boarding efficiency. — (FREEMAN)