PITX prepares for return of passengers from provinces

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is preparing for the expected comeback of hundreds of thousands of passengers from the provinces after the holiday season. 

PITX spokesperson Jason Salvador told ABS-CBN News they are expecting the influx of returning passengers starting Saturday, January 4 until Monday early morning, January 6. 

‘As early as now, inaabisuhan natin yung mga pasahero natin na maghanda na sa pagbabalik nila dito sa Metro Manila - asahan nila na may konting pagsisikip, baka may kontring traffic - hanggat maari agahan nila yung pagluwas nila dito sa Metro Manila,” Salvador said.

 He said PITX expects an estimated 3 million passengers from December 20, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

He also explained how PITX was able to give an estimated number of passengers at the terminal at any given time.

“Well, bukod sa security natin - sa bawat entrances natin may mga sensor yun so dun binibilang yung foot traffic natin, so lahat ng entrances nabibilang yan…yun yung estimates natin tapos plus of minus 5 or 10 % na margin of error,” Salvador explained.

According to Salvador, PITX has a carrying capacity of about 200,000 people.

DON'T PATRONIZE 'HABAL-HABAL'

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) reminded the riding public not to patronize “habal-habal” or colorum motorcycles offering rides.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, LTO executive director Atty. Greg Pua Jr. said it is too risky to ride colorum vehicles. 

“Wala kasing mga insurance ito, kapag may nangyari po na aksidente, wala pong insurance na makukuha yung ating pasahero that avail of the habal-habal. Convenience does not justify the illegal means of transporting passengers,” Pua explained.

On Friday, LTO enforcers inspected some bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City and in Parañaque City.

Pua said this is to ensure roadworthiness of all bus units going in and out of Metro Manila.

”Yung mga bus terminals, iniikutan po natin yan…tinitingnan po natin na bago po sila bumiyahe, tsinetsek po nating yung mga gulong, yung mga sasakyan kung road worthy po ba sila,” Pua said.