Around 2.1 million passengers are expected to pass through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) during the Undas season, according to Director for Corporate Affairs and Government Relations of PITX Jason Salvador.
Salvador said the projection is slightly lower compared to previous years since this year’s Undas does not fall on a long weekend, and many Filipinos are more focused on preparing for the Christmas season.
He noted that passenger influx will begin on October 27, with the peak expected on October 30, when the terminal could accommodate over 200,000 passengers in a single day.
When asked how PITX plans to address long queues, Salvador said the key solution is to ensure enough public transport vehicles are available to serve commuters.
"Ang solusyon sa mahabang pila ay yung proper supply ng mga sasakyan. Kasi yung mga tao naman ayaw naman nila magtagal sa loob ng isang pasilidad. Ang primary purpose naman nila kung pumunta rito ay para makabiyahe. Ngayon, kung available na kami ng sasakyan, may sapat na bilang ng mga sasakyan, ay agad-agad naman sila ang lalabas at hindi mahaba yung pila natin," Salvador said.
“So with that, nakikipag-coordinate tayo ng mabuti sa DOTr, sa LTO, sa LTFRB upang maging seamless yung paglabas nila dito sa terminal. Ang kailangan lang diyan, on-time yung mga buses natin, upang sa ganun, masundo kaagad 'yung mga pasahero at makalabas sila ka agad dito,” he added.
Salvador also acknowledged that bus turnaround time can sometimes cause delays, especially during peak travel seasons due to heavy traffic in and out of Metro Manila.
"Ang nagiging issue lang diyan minsan, siguro 'yung mga turnaround time, especially during the holiday seasons kasi medyo lumalaki yung traffic going in and out of Metro Manila. Ito nakakapag-contribute din sa konting delay para makabalik sila at masundo yung mga pasahero dito sa PITX," he said.
He also noted that PITX is coordinating closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure a smooth and seamless travel experience for passengers.
At the same time, security measures have been heightened within the terminal in preparation for the expected surge of travelers during the Undas season.
