Bus terminals crowded ahead of observance of Holy Week

There is a notable increase in passengers in bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City a few days before the start of Holy Week on Tuesday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, some buses were already fully booked as more and more passengers were booking their tickets early.

"Kasi next week, mahirap nang sumakay...Marami kami, kailangan magpa-reserve ngayon pa lang," Ave Taguigui said.

As companies adapt to the influx of travelers, officials also view the occasion as an opportunity to check on the health of drivers. Hence, there is a need for random-drug testing among bus drivers.

"Minsan nagra-random drug test po kami sa tuwing bago sumapit ang ganitong okasyon para matiyak naman na hindi gumagamit ng droga ang aming mga driver," Roger Nuesca, a terminal master for a prominent bus company, said.

Bus lines were also busy making pre-departure inspections, wherein every unit's wheels, engine and brakes are double-checked before leaving the terminal.

In the past seven years, as many as 61 people have died in vehicular accidents during the Holy Week.

Data from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council showed that there have been at least 129 vehicular accidents during the Semana Santa from from 2012 to 2018, including 22 accidents that took place during last year's observance. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News