Terminal boost services ahead of class opening

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) and Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) have strengthened help desks and security measures to prepare for the back-to-school rush, aiming to provide better services for passengers, particularly students traveling for the opening of classes this June.

Terminal head Ahmed Cuizon said during the Openline Media News Forum on Tuesday, May 26, that help desks will be reinforced to assist students, especially freshmen unfamiliar with the city.

“We are strengthening our help desks so that kung naay mga questions labina tong mga freshmen nga intawn katultol kung asa sila padulong sa syudad, mahimo kaayo silang tabangan sa atong mga personnels,” Cuizon said.

He added that both terminals have been equipped with new and additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to heighten security.

“One of these [improved security measures] is the installation of new and more CCTVs. Usa jd ni sa mga nakatabang sa paglocate niining mga lost items,” Cuizon noted, citing several cases of lost belongings successfully retrieved through the system.

Six new CCTV units were installed at CNBT and eight at CSBT, bringing the totals to 16 and 24 cameras, respectively, with most positioned in previously less-monitored areas.

Cuizon also announced that private restrooms at CNBT will be free for public use during the peak season, similar to the implementation during Holy Week last April. He said the provincial government will subsidize payments to the private operator.

“Ang buhaton gyud ni Gov. Pamela Baricuatro kay hangyuon ang atong private restroom operator nga ilibre lang sa mga tawo nga mogamit,” he said.

In line with sustainability efforts, Cuizon said old outdoor lights will be replaced with solar-powered units to improve energy efficiency.

At CSBT, V-hire vehicles will be regulated to load and unload passengers only, with parking inside the terminal prohibited.

“Ang atong giallow sa mga V-hire, mosud diha sa terminal para nalang moload og modrop-off,” Cuizon explained.

Spaces previously occupied by V-hires will be allocated for delivery and private vehicles of personnel and concessionaires, which currently park in front of the terminal and contribute to congestion.

“Atong hawananan gyud ang tubangan sa atong terminal aron mas maka-accommodate pa ta og mas daghan nga vehicles,” he said, adding that V-hire operators are expected to secure their own parking areas outside the terminal.

The measure aims to ease delayed bus entry linked to parking difficulties, which often cause traffic along Natalio B. Bacalso Avenue near the CSBT entrance.

CNBT accommodates around 2,000 passengers on weekdays and 3,800 on weekends, while CSBT handles about 7,000 daily and up to 11,000 on weekends, leading to heavy congestion during peak seasons.

Cuizon stressed that the improvements are designed to benefit all passengers, particularly students returning to classes.

“Mao na siya ang pipila sa mga gipangandaman nato para sa atong mga estudyante, labina kay daghan nila ang modagsa diri sa syudad,” he said. — Jona Mariel Apurado and Jhiezel Jane Camarillo, CNU Interns/LPM (FREEMAN)