The Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) said there will be more bus trips during the Holy Week as more passengers go home to their respective provinces.
DCOTT Manager Aisa Usop said that under normal conditions DCOTT records an average of 700 to 800 bus trips per day, but during Holy Week the number of trips increases to 1,000 to 1,500 per day.
In preparation for the expected surge of passengers, the DCOTT has implemented several operational adjustments.
Usually, the terminal maintains a 30-minute interval between bus departures. During this peak season, however, interval may be shortened when a bus reachers its at passenger capacity.
The terminal also has two advanced baggage X-ray machines that will expedite the screening process. With this, passengers need not open their baggage unless suspicious items are detected.
“There are instances gyod nga ipa-open if naay namatikdan nga there’s something wrong ipa-open gyod sa Task Force Davao together sa atoang K9 (dog) pod (There are instances that baggage must be opened, especially if there’s something unusual. It is opened by Task Force Davao together with our K9),” she said.
The DCOTT has 32 CCTV cameras connected to the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO). The terminal is further augmenting its security by coordinating with police personnel from the Ecoland Station and members of the Task Force Davao.
To manage peak-time congestion, the DCOTT plans to open Gate 8 exclusively for passengers with no baggage, as well as for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disability (PWDs).
Usop also said that DCOTT is working closely with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure an adequate number of bus trips are available throughout this period. CIO
