CSBT earns P360T on poll weekend
At least 2,460 bus trips were recorded at the Cebu South Bus Terminal on the weekend leading to the barangay and SK elections on May 14.
The figure, which covers trips from Friday, May 11, up to the afternoon of Monday, May 14, allowed the facility to earn P369,000 in terminal fees, according to CSBT manager Joey Herrera.
CSBT collects a terminal fee of P150 for every bus trip.
Herrera said it was the most number of passengers they have recorded in any given holiday season.
"Sukad-sukad nga diha ko nagmanager sa terminal, mao gyud na siyay pinakadaghan or the highest volume of passengers nga among naexperience," Herrera said.
"Nakaingon gyud ko nga pinakadaghan nga pasahero nga nidangop sa terminal sa usa ka holiday kay kana man gud Semana Santa o Kalag-Kalag, usa ka adlaw tunga or duha mao na ang labing daghan," he added.
In the run-up to the polls, Herrera noted that some passengers had to wait for almost six hours. For instance, a passenger arrived at the CSBT at 6 p.m. but was able to ride a bus to his hometown at 12 midnight already.
On regular holidays, Herrera said, passengers normally wait for three to four hours only.
When asked why it took long before passengers could get a ride, Herrera said: "Tungod sa kadaghan sa pasahero, tungod sa election nga Lunes, maong nanguli ang tanan. Wala ko gatoo nga ing-ana kadaghan ang pasahero."
He admitted though that the management had received complaints from passengers during the season. He said Mayor Tomas Osmeña even forwarded him a text message from passengers complaining about the terminal's operations.
Some of the complaints were about the long hours of waiting, not having enough water supply, and overcharging.
"Nahutdan og tubig ang sa CR tungod sa siguro sa volume sa tawo," Herrera explained.
He assured nonetheless that they would implement better services as they expect the same situation during the midterm elections next year.