PITX logs highest passenger count this holiday exodus at 218K

Around 218,000 people flocked to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Saturday to catch trips ahead of Christmas Day—the highest number of passengers recorded in the bus terminal’s history.

PITX corporate affairs officer Kolyn Calbasa said they expect more passengers to arrive on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the holidays in their respective provinces.

#BantayBiyahe: (As of 6:20 am) Mga pasaherong uuwi sa mga probinsiya ngayong Kapaskuhan, patuloy ang pagdating sa Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/mpgFRc213E

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 21, 2024

“Ang last count natin, 218,000 just…Saturday alone. That’s record-breaking for us kasi ang last na pinaka-highest namin ever is ito na, ‘yung 204,000 nu'ng December 23 last year,” she said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview on Sunday.

(Our last count was 218,000 passengers just on Saturday alone. That's record-breaking for us because our last highest count ever was 204,000 passengers on December 23 last year.)

“Ine-expect natin na by tomorrow, marami pa rin ang hahabol na ating mga kababayan para makauwi sa kanilang mga probinsya,” she added.

(We expect many people to arrive by tomorrow to go home to their provinces.)

Due to the influx of passengers, PITX added additional bus trips specifically for those going to the Bicol region, Calbasa said.

As of Saturday, passengers bound for Bicol were reportedly forming long lines at PITX, with no available seats until December 24. Some had been waiting for hours, hoping for a chance to secure a ride.

At bus terminals along EDSA, passengers were also experiencing delays as buses from Bicol couldn't immediately return to Manila.

Calbasa said 18 trips were delayed on Saturday, but assured that all trips are pushing through.

“Wala namang stranded ano. Medyo naghintay lang tayo nang kaunti. May mga 18 delayed trips lang tayo kahapon. However, tuloy-tuloy naman na ulit ang mga biyahe natin. Nakarating na ‘yung ibang buses,” she said.

(No one was stranded. They just waited a little bit longer. We only had about 18 delayed trips yesterday. However, our trips have continued and the other buses have arrived.)

Even as security personnel are roaming around the area, the PITX official also advised passengers to be vigilant to avoid pickpockets. She said that people can also make use of the free Wi-Fi and the open food establishments while waiting for their trips.

Calbasa also reminded passengers not to bring sharp and flammable objects, and to inquire first from their customer service representatives regarding the availability of tickets to their desired destinations.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier said it has granted over 900 special permits for public utility vehicles to cater to more passengers during the holidays.

Provincial buses have been allowed to use EDSA for limited hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting December 20, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Meanwhile, from December 26, 2024 until January 2, 2025, provincial buses will be allowed to use EDSA for 24 hours. —KG, GMA Integrated News