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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Oil price spikes push motorists to take public transport rather than drive to their Holy Week destinations

Oil price spikes push motorists to take public transport rather than drive to their Holy Week destinations

Published Mar 30, 2026 11:26 am
Passengers wait at a bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila on March 30, 2026.
Passengers wait at a bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila on March 30, 2026.
As Holy Week travel peaks this week, the cluster of bus terminals in Sampaloc, Manila, had been bustling with passengers heading to northern and central Luzon provinces.
Skyrocketing fuel costs are prompting many commuters to leave their private vehicles at home, making buses the preferred choice for their holiday trip.
With no single integrated terminal in the district, passengers crowd multiple small departure points along Lacson Avenue, Dapitan and Blumentritt Streets, España Boulevard, and surrounding streets.
Unlike purpose-built hubs such as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Sampaloc’s terminals are decentralized, operated by a mix of companies including Farinas Trans, Philippine Rabbit, Victory Liner, Viron Transit, and GV Florida Bus.
Passengers interviewed on Monday told the Manila Bulletin that they endured long lines under the midday sun, with limited shaded waiting areas and packed sidewalks as bus crews called out destinations ranging from the Ilocos Region to Bontoc, Mountain Province.
“Baka kasi pila na lalo sa mga susunod na araw (Lines might get even longer in the coming days),” said a 23-year-old traveler waiting at the Maria de Leon Trans Terminal on Dapitan Street
She shared that she and her cousin were originally supposed to travel together using a private vehicle but opted to take the bus instead due to rising fuel costs.
“Dalawa kami dapat ng pinsan ko sa sasakyan niya kaya lang sa taas ng gasoline, nag-bus na lang kam (It was supposed to be just me and my cousin in her vehicle, but because of the high price of gasoline, we ended up taking the bus),” she said
The traveler added that they reserved their tickets last Thursday, May 26, to secure seats in advance.
She also noted the recent fare increase. “Ngayon, nagtaas na rin ng pamasahe (Fares have now increased),”
She said first class is now P1,150 from P1,000, and deluxe is now P1,300 from P1,100.
Bus operators said they added extra trips to meet the high demand throughout the week, particularly for routes heading north to Isabela, Cagayan, Ilocos, and Quirino provinces.
Some terminals have also implemented mobile ticket scanning and faster boarding procedures to reduce crowding during peak hours.
Transportation officials urged passengers to arrive early, prepare for limited terminal amenities, and take advantage of online booking when available.
With millions expected to move across the country this Holy Week, Sampaloc’s network of terminals, though smaller and less centralized, is playing a crucial role in keeping departures moving smoothly, proving that even in tight, crowded terminals, Manila commuters will go the extra mile to reach family and tradition.

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