Passengers flock terminal as Ceres resumes Iloilo-Capiz operations

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Hundreds of passengers flocked to the Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal (RCITT) Wednesday morning as Ceres Bus Liners of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) resumed its Iloilo-Capiz operations after almost two months of lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Passengers bound for Iloilo route went to the terminal as early as 5am to catch the early morning trip to Iloilo City.

According to a Ceres bus conductor, from 33 seating capacity, the bus will only accommodate 17 passengers as they have to observe the physical/social distancing policy.

The conductor said passenger must also fill up a form indicating their names, age, address, contact number, and place of destination.

Before the passenger boards the bus, their hands will be sprayed with sanitizer or alcohol, step on a foot bath, and their body temperatures checked.

The conductor said that they temporarily suspended the 20 percent discount for senior citizens, pregnant woman and persons with disabilities.

The bus management raised its fare to P11.00 for the first five kilometers and P1.85 for every succeeding kilometer for the non-aircon bus, while P13 will be charged for the first five kilometers and P2.20 for every succeeding kilometer for aircon units.

Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas on Tuesday, June 2, met with Vallacar Transit’s Administrative Manager Janice Original, Finance Manager Frederick S. Villaflores and Operations Manager Edgar Casamayo to address concerns on the resumption of their operation.

Upon compliance with the conditions set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Local Government regarding Public Health Standards, the VTI was issued authority to operate.

The VTI agreed to comply with the conditions for the safety of the passengers and their employees alike which includes physical distancing, placement of visual markers, observance of 50% sitting capacity and securing passengers manifest for contact tracing.

Last Monday, several passengers were stranded at the RCITT as the province of Capiz shifted from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

Most of the passengers were bound for Iloilo City but due to lack of passenger buses, particularly Ceres buses, they were stranded for several hours at the terminal.

Sandy Hachuela, administrative aide assigned to RCITT, said that Ceres buses have started their operations but some of their units were not allowed to enter the terminal because of the lack of special permits.

The management of Vallacar has assured that special permits for the other bus units will be immediately forwarded to the RCITT to cater to the needs of commuters.

Earlier, the RCITT under Victor Arcenas said that they will not allow passenger buses, jeepneys, and vans to enter the terminal if they have no special permits from LTFRB.