Passengers expected to flock to bus terminals ahead of polls

With elections only five days away, more than 6,000 passengers per day are expected at the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao to secure tickets going to their respective provinces, Katrina Son reported on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on Wednesday.

Some passengers trying to catch a ride home complained that some bus companies took advantage of the influx and started hiking up their fares.

According to the report, bus companies and drivers declined to comment on the allegations.

The bus terminal in Cubao has been receiving up to 6,000 people a day this week, which is higher compared to the 4,000 passengers in the same period last year.

"[Normally], pagka Mayo,' yung kapistahan, and then sinamahan pa siya nitong nagkataong eleksyon kaya maraming naguuwian," the station's spokesperson Ramon Legaspi said.

The passenger count is only expected to grow as election day approaches.

A passenger who was allegedly paying P1,000 for a trip that regularly cost P600 made an appeal to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Panawagan ko sa LTFRB, magdagdag sila ng bus para hindi naman kami gaanong tagain sa pamasahe," the man said.

"Sakripisyo yung kaunting pera namin na dapat ipadala namin sa pamilya, ilalaan na lang namin sa pamasahe kasi gusto naming makita ang pamilya namin, magta-tiyaga kami kahit mahal."

To accommodate commuters who will go to their home provinces to vote during the 2019 Elections, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the number coding scheme for provincial buses will be suspended from Friday (May 10) until Tuesday (May 14).

For private vehicles, the coding scheme is set to be suspended from Saturday (May 11) until Monday (May 13). — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News