Commuters at PITX experience longer waits as buses decrease due to oil costs

The impact of successive mega oil price hikes is now being felt at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), prompting some bus operators to reduce the number of units in operation.

Long lines of passengers can be seen at PITX. Unlike before, when buses arrived continuously, commuters say trips are now more limited and arrive only intermittently.

“Ngayon ko lang po naranasan na matagal po mag-antay ngayon na hindi rush hour po. Antay lang po kasi wala na po ibang sasakyan.” Christine, an affected passenger said.

(This is the first time I experienced waiting for a long period outside of the rush hour. But I have no choice because there's no other vehicle available.)

Bus drivers and personnel from a bus line confirmed that they have indeed reduced the number of operating units.

“Mga 80. Dati? Opo, ngayon mga 50 na lang siguro yung tumatakbo. Ang taas po kasi ng krudo, sobrang taas kaya malulugi po yung kumpanya,” bus driver Josephine Guevarra said.

(From 80, we now only have 50 plying the routes. Oil prices are too steep, plying would just result in losses for the company.)

“Dati mam, ano mam, 9 to 10 units po. Ngayon, ma’am, parang lima na lang siya. Apat. Kasi siyempre ma’am, yung kita, ma’am, hindi na po kagaya ng dati. Talagang ang laki po nang binaba nung sales po namin.” Jobelle Tamang, a bus line staff said.

(We used to have 9 to 10 units, now we have 5 or 4.  Sales really dipped.)

According to PITX, the situation poses a major challenge, especially with the expected increase in passengers during Holy Week.

“The main challenge now would be the supply. Kasi ilan sa mga operators natin nagpahayag na talaga na dahil sa taas ng presyo ng gasolina, nagbabawas na sila ng mga biyahe nila. Tulad ng sa Batangas City, sa San Jose, Nueva Ecija, sa Pangasinan, no? And in fact, iba sa kanila nagbabalak pa magbawas kasi nga nahihirapan na sila.” Jason Salvador, head of PITX Corporate Affairs and Government Relations, said.

(Several operators have said that they would reduce their bus units because of the high oil price, such as in Batangas City, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan.)

Passenger volume is also increasing, as more commuters opt for public transportation due to high fuel costs.

“Napakataas ng gasolina, pansin natin na mas tumataas pa yung bilang ng mga pasahero dahil, one, yung iba sa kanila na dating nagdadala ng sariling sasakyan ay… nagpa-public transport na lang.” Salvador said.

(We observe an increase in the number of commuters as some motorists are now taking public transport due to the expensive gas.)

Despite this, PITX assured the public that buses will still be available, though waiting times are expected.

“Yes, oo. Ma-assure naman natin yun. Yun nga lang, magkakaroon ng waiting time. Mas gusto nila, ide-deploy lang nila yan kung fully booked na. So, meaning, ang epekto nito, maghihintay. Maghihintay yung mga pasero kasi unless puno na, hindi sila mag-provide ng units at hindi rin i-deploy.” Salvador added.

(Buses will be available, but commuters have to bear the longer wait because buses will be deployed only once they are fully booked.)

Some passengers are choosing to travel earlier than usual to avoid congestion and possible fare increases.

“Nagbiyahe na para hindi masyadong congested. At, yun nga, baka yung fear na baka umakyat yung pamasahe. At least nauna na nang konti… para magkita kita naman kahit minsan lang sa isang taon. May effort talaga kasi hindi naman madali magbyahe,” Generoso Comia who is traveling with family said.

(We travelled early because fares might go up. We really want to take this trip to visit our relatives, whom we don't often see.)

Others, like Rachel Cabigao, traveled to Manila with her family to spend Holy Week with her husband, a tricycle driver.

“Kailangan mamasada siya direcho para kahit papano hindi siya lugi. Ang laki po kasi nang tinaas ng gas eh… pinaglalaanan po talaga namin ng pera tsaka oras para makabyahe. Pamilya bonding… para makalakihan din ng mga bata. Makita din nila yung tradisyon namin every Semana Santa. Kaya yun, niluluwas din namin yung mga bata," Rachel Cabigao, who traveled from Cavite, said.

(He needs to continuously be on the road to earn. We saved money to travel to Manila and see him to have family bonding. It's a tradition during Holy Week.)

Meanwhile, some passengers are still willing to travel despite fare increases.

“70 plus pesos ang itinaas… Siyempre mahalaga po yun. Yung makasama mo yung mahal sa buhay ng kahit saglit lang iba yung pakiramdam. Tapos, makikita mo yung mga kamag-anak mo nagsisi-uwian. Parang family reunion na rin,” Perlita Almodovar, who is traveling to Nueva Ecija, said.

(There was P70 increase in fare.  But we need to be with our loved ones, like a family reunion.)

Strict security measures remain in place at PITX, including X-ray machines and K9 units.

In recent days, authorities have confiscated numerous prohibited items such as bladed objects, scissors, lighters, and aerosol cans.

PITX also advised passengers to immediately report any illegal fare overcharging.

For those planning to travel this Holy Week, authorities strongly recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid long waiting times, especially as some operators may further reduce their bus units.—LDF, GMA Integrated News