Long lines, fully booked trips greet travelers on Holy Wednesday

Long lines and fully booked trips were reported as travelers rushed to bus terminals, seaports, and airports on Holy Wednesday amid the Holy Week exodus. 

Travelers heading to provinces in Northern Luzon and Bicol were facing long lines and fully booked trips at bus terminals in Quezon City, according to a report of James Agustin on GMA News’ Unang Balita. 

Passengers bound for Ilocos, La Union, Abra, and the Bicol region including Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay were already encountering hours of waiting just to secure tickets.

Some passengers decided to take early leave from work to avoid the expected surge later in the day.

A passenger traveling with her child to Camarines Norte said they waited nearly seven hours to get tickets. Another passenger said his family waited around eight hours to secure tickets for their trip to Quezon. 

Bus operators reported that trips to Ilocos, La Union, and Abra were already fully booked for the day. 

Meanwhile, air-conditioned buses bound for Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay are fully booked until April 4.

To accommodate the surge, terminals have deployed additional buses for “chance passengers.” Since Holy Tuesday night, at least six extra trips have already been dispatched to Bicol.

The terminal management assured the public that all travelers will eventually be accommodated but extended waiting times are expected.

Batangas Port

Some passengers at Batangas Port experienced difficulties on Holy Wednesday as they used the port’s online registration assistance system.

According to a report of GMA News’ Bam Alegre, long lines built up early Wednesday morning particularly among passengers who had yet to secure tickets.

Inside the port, travelers without tickets were directed to a help desk where personnel assist them in completing the registration for Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS) pass. 

While the system allows passengers to register independently by scanning a QR code and selecting their trip, not all travelers found it easy to use.

Some passengers cited lack of mobile data and unfamiliarity with digital platforms as major challenges, prompting them to seek assistance from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) staff.

Despite the inconvenience, authorities assured that passengers who complete the registration process are guaranteed slots for their trips but waiting time may still be experienced. 

Port management reported that on Holy Tuesday, passenger volume reached around 15,000, which was lower than last year’s 27,000 travelers recorded during the same period.

As of Wednesday morning, foot traffic at the port was estimated at 4,000 passengers and this is expected to rise further as the Holy Week exodus continues.

NAIA

Travelers flying to the provinces or abroad this Holy Week complained of long waiting time at check-in counters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Holy Wednesday.

According to a report by GMA News’ EJ Gomez, travelers started arriving at the airport as early as 4 a.m. leading to a buildup of vehicles at the departure bay. 

Passengers noticed slow-moving lines at check-in counters and some of them expressed frustration over the time it took to process their baggage.

Airport authorities reminded travelers that six airlines have been relocated to Terminal 3, while one airline has been transferred to Terminal 1. 

Due to this, passengers are advised to verify their terminal assignments before heading to the airport.

LIST: NAIA terminal reassignments for foreign airlines

Starting Holy Wednesday, authorities also implemented a reduction of up to 50% in passenger service charges, as well as landing and takeoff fees for airlines.

Slow traffic at the departure bay observed.

Airport security personnel and members of the Philippine National Police were deployed to manage the flow of vehicles and assist passengers.

While entry into the terminal remained orderly, passengers should expect longer waiting times at check-in counters due to increased holiday travel volume.—AOL, GMA News