PITX sees surge in Holy Week travelers, long waits reported

Passengers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) reported long waiting times for bus rides and a surge in travelers during the Holy Wednesday rush, with lines forming as early as 5 a.m.

Girlie Pajarin shared her experience lining up at a ticketing booth to catch a ride to Daet, Camarines Norte, while Glen Obrado expressed frustration over his delayed 2 p.m. bus to Biliran, Leyte.

Wilmar Binos and his family were traveling to Tabaco, Albay for a religious procession and beach visit, reflecting the influx of travelers during this period.

PITX stated that buses were scheduled every 30 minutes but delays occurred due to high volume, with around 200,000 passengers expected on Holy Tuesday. By 6 a.m., passenger numbers had already surpassed 15,000, significantly higher than previous days.

Kolyn Calbasa, PITX senior corporate affairs officer, noted they added extra trips and secured special permits from the LTFRB to accommodate walk-in passengers, while encouraging travelers to plan their trips carefully through social media updates.

Authorities set up police assistance desks and conducted random inspections to ensure driver and bus fitness for travel.