Commuters waited for hours under the heat, some with crying children in tow, as thousands were left stranded at the Dau Bus Terminal in Mabalacat City, Pampanga after Solid North Transit, Inc. suspended its trips to Pangasinan.

“Isang oras na po kaming naghihintay dito, may kasama pa naman kaming mga bata. Sisiksikan, ang daming pasahero. Abala talaga sa amin, lalo na sa mga may kasamang bata. Init pa naman ng panahon,” one of the affected passengers said.

According to terminal authorities, around 50,000 passengers were affected.

“We doubled our first aid personnel and gave out water. Some cried because they missed work or important appointments. Napaka-emotional talaga ng sitwasyon,” Elmer Lopez, Officer-in-Charge of the Mabalacat Bus Terminal, said.

The temporary suspension came after a deadly crash involving a Solid North bus in SCTEX, which killed 10 people and injured over 30.

The incident led to the suspension of over 300 buses, most of which operate from the Dau terminal.

Lopez said the situation may worsen in the coming days.

“Kahapon may mga officials na dumating mula LTO and LTFRB coming from central office, nakita nila 'yung sitwasyon. 'Yung sitwasyon kahapon kung ico-compare natin sa magiging sitwasyon sa Friday papunta na sa election, 'yun ang [mas] mabigat,” he said.

In a statement, Solid North Transit expressed sympathy to those affected by the accident and assured the public they are working to improve their service while taking full responsibility for the tragedy.