Passengers start to flock to Araneta Center bus station before Holy Week

Some passengers have started to troop to the Araneta Center bus station days before the Holy Week, GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported Tuesday on Unang Balita.

Yolly Escoña, a passenger bound for Masbate, said she goes home to her province every year and she has always traveled as early as possible to avoid the heavy volume of passengers before the holidays.

Meanwhile, another passenger going to Bicol, Baby Botor, said that aside from the Holy Week, the graduation of her grandchild has prompted her to go to her hometown.

May ilan nang pasahero sa Araneta Center Bus Terminal na pauwi ng probinsya para sa Semana Santa. LIVE report mamaya sa @UnangHirit @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8FHT7fRXGf

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) April 3, 2017

According to Araneta Center bus terminal coordinator Ronald Tagle, a lower volume of passengers was recorded due to the opening of the Araneta Center Busport which houses air-conditioned buses.

He said that about 4,000 passengers per day ride ordinary buses, although he noted that passengers might double to 8,000 due to the Holy Week.

More passengers are expected to flock to the terminal on Palm Sunday until Holy Wednesday, bus dispatcher Allan Pitapit said.

He also added that drivers and conductors would always assure the safety of passengers.

An official of the Araneta Center bus terminal said they will put up an assistance desk on Friday to assist passengers.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Monday said it has granted special permits for 1,053 buses to accommodate the influx of passengers headed to provinces. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News