Passenger surge begins at Cubao terminal ahead of Undas
Passengers have started arriving at bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, ahead of All Saints’ Day and All Souls' Day on Thursday, Oct. 30.
As of 7:00 a.m., more than 1,000 passengers were already at Baliwag Terminal, bound for Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.
Buses depart every 30 minutes, and trips are on a first-come, first-served basis.
According to the management, additional buses will be deployed when needed since they were able to secure special permits from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Bus companies said they expect a heavy influx of passengers throughout the day, with many taking advantage of the last workday before the long weekend.
Despite most routes to Northern Luzon being fully booked online, operators said they will continue to accept walk-in passengers and dispatch extra trips if necessary.
Security personnel from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have been deployed at major terminals to assist commuters and manage the flow of passengers.
Authorities advised travelers to arrive early, secure their belongings, and plan their trips as passenger volume is expected to peak later today.
The MMDA also announced that provincial buses will be temporarily allowed to pass through EDSA 24/7 as part of preparations for the expected surge of passengers traveling to the provinces.
The policy will take effect from 10:00 p.m. on Oct. 30 until 5:00 a.m. on November 3.
Buses coming from North Luzon may stop at terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, while those coming from South Luzon will be limited to stops at PITX and Pasay City.