Passengers flock to PITX ahead of Holy Week 2025

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) has experienced a surge in passenger demand ahead of the Holy Week.

According to a 24 Oras report by Marisol Abdurahman on Friday, provincial buses at PITX, which has been serving 160,000 passengers daily since April 9, are already operating at full capacity.

The terminal said that they are expecting up to 2.5 million passengers until Easter Sunday, April 20.

“Napakarami talagang bumabyahe sa Bicol. In fact, as we speak now, marami sa biyahe pa-Bicol na puno na. Pero huwag sila mag-alala, dahil nga kahapon nakipagpulong tayo sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) at marami silang na-isyu na special permits,” said PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador.

(There are a lot of passengers traveling to Bicol. In fact, as we speak now, a lot of trips to Bicol are already full. But they shouldn’t worry, because we had a meeting yesterday with the LTFRB and they have already issued a lot of special permits.)

PITX also reported that many bus trips were delayed and that they are currently addressing the problem of crowding.

“Nagkakaroon po kasi ng trapiko. Siyempre, sabay-sabay umaalis. Ang nagiging epekto nito yung turnaround time ng mga bus. If nadelay sila palabas, madedelay din sila papasok,” said Salvador.

(There is heavy traffic. Of course, everybody leaves at the same time. This affects the turnaround time of buses. They arrive later than expected if they are delayed in leaving.)

They also implemented stricter inspections of passenger baggage.

Meanwhile, Cubao bus terminals, which were inspected by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Quezon City Police Department (QCPD), and the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG), were less crowded than PITX.

Authorities randomly tested bus drivers for illegal drugs in addition to evaluating the buses' roadworthiness.

No drivers have tested positive for illegal drugs during the random drug test, according to the MMDA. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News