Bus terminals in Dagupan City are accommodating early booking for trips for Christmas and New Year.
With more passengers expected to flood terminals as Christmas Day nears, most of them students heading home for the holidays, bus companies are accommodating advance bookings to make travel more convenient.
Travelers can book their trips online.
“Maganda ang online booking kasi pagdating ng pasahero, redeem nalang ang ticket tapos sasakay nalang,” Melchor Lopez, Bus Terminal Master of Dagupan City, said.
The advance booking system helps passengers avoid long lines and crowds, especially with the surge of travelers during the holidays.
“Very important kasi kapag walang online, mahirap talaga sumakay at bumyahe,” Rogel Cunanan, a traveler, said.
In Dagupan City, over 200 buses will travel to various destinations, including Zambales, Baguio City, and Isabela.
Bus companies have already submitted their requests for special permits to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which will take effect 10 days before Christmas.
“Hinintay nalang namin ang release ng special permit tapos ibigay na namin sa mga bus driver,” Lopez said.
The local police are also on alert for the holiday season, focusing on monitoring bus terminals to ensure safety.
“Collaboration itong effort na ito, with iba't-ibang government agency, to [en]sure ang safety ng ating mga kababayan ngayong holiday season,” PCapt. Renan Dela Cruz, Public Information Officer of the Pangasinan PPO, said.