- DCOTT expects 80,000 bus passengers daily this holiday season
THE DAVAO City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) is gearing up to accommodate the anticipated surge of 80,000 passengers during the Christmas break starting this Friday.
During the Davao Peace and Security press briefing on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, DCOTT manager Aisa Usop announced that the number of passengers this Christmas would be more than originally estimated.
“While I previously predicted a passenger surge in November, it didn’t materialize. However, this December, we expect a significant increase, particularly starting this Friday. In fact, we already saw a notable influx of passengers last Friday, December 13th,” Usop explained.
“During peak days, which typically occur three days before Christmas and New Year, and the days immediately following, we anticipate 1,500 bus trips daily, translating to 75,000 to 80,000 passengers,” she said.
When asked about bus trips on Christmas and New Year’s Day, Usop clarified, “Some major bus companies will operate on those days, but the frequency will depend on passenger demand.”
“To accommodate the expected surge, we’ve relaxed the 30-minute interval rule. Once a bus reaches capacity, it will depart immediately to allow other buses to enter the terminal. This flexibility will be particularly important during the peak Christmas and New Year periods. While smaller operators may not offer trips on those days, major companies will continue to provide service,” she added.
Usop assured the public that DCOTT is fully prepared to handle the increased passenger volume.
“Effective coordination with bus operators and partner agencies is crucial to ensure smooth operations during this busy period,” she concluded.
Photo courtesy of Bing Gonzales
