Long lines, limited trips jam passengers in terminals, ports

Passengers jostle for space in terminals and ports as they waited in long lines for buses,  sea vessels, and planes on Christmas Eve, according to reports on GMA News’ "Unang Balita."

In a terminal in Caloocan, the number of available buses was not enough to accommodate the influx of travelers. Passengers were waiting for more buses to come to the terminal.

Long lines were growing at ticket booths for trips to Bicol, and Batangas at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

According to a report of Nico Waje, the arrival of buses to the terminal was slow and far between. Some passengers have been waiting since midnight.

In Cubao, Quezon City, the bus routes were shortened. Thus, the terminal officials appealed to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow buses to revert to their original routes.

However, the LTFRB pointed out that only few operators have applied for special permit to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Meanwhile in Manila North Port, several chance passengers are camping out in the port area to book a trip to their province.

In Batangas Port area, lines of vehicles waiting to  board on RoRo vessels continue to grow long.

Meanwhile, a report by Darlene Cay said that several passengers also flocked early at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Long lines of vehicles were also building up on expressways. NLEX-SCTEX traffic manager Robin Ignacio said the traffic was just in its usual rush house condition.

There were only a few vehicles monitored on EDSA, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Metrobase Commander Vic Felizardo.

“Sa ngayon parang bawas ito. Marami na sigurong umuwi (As of now, it seems the vehicles were reduced. Perhaps, many have already went home to provinces),” he said in an interview. —LBG, GMA News