Buying bus and ship tickets ahead of time is a practical solution to reducing congestion at transport hubs during seasonal vacation rush, according to a vice-chair of the House transportation committee.
“Kailangang mahikayat po ang mga commuters na bumili ng tickets nang maaga, lalo na tuwing bakasyon, para makaiwas sa abala ng mahabang pila,” Quezon 3rd District Representative Reynante Arrogancia said.
Arrogancia emphasized that vacationers often know their travel schedules in advance, making it a matter of budgeting early to secure their tickets.
“Tickets for passenger ships are much cheaper when bought weeks or months in advance.”
“Tickets for passenger ships are much cheaper when bought weeks or months in advance,” the legislator pointed out.
However, the lawmaker noted that “bus ticket prices are fixed, and there are still some buses that do not offer online booking options”.
“Totoo pong may ilang bus companies na hindi pa rin nag-aalok ng online ticketing services. Bagaman maraming kumpanya ang nagpatupad na ng online booking systems para sa mas maginhawang pagbili ng tiket, mayroon pa ring ilan na umaasa sa tradisyunal na over-the-counter transactions sa kanilang mga terminal,” the lawmaker explained.
“The lack of online booking options in some bus companies can inconvenience travelers, especially during peak seasons when queues at ticket counters become excessively long. Because of this, there is a need to require all bus operators to implement online ticketing systems as an option for passengers to improve services and ease congestion at terminals,” he said.
“For the convenience of passengers, the Department of Transportation should require all bus lines to have an option of advanced online booking and payment of bus tickets.”
“For the convenience of passengers, the Department of Transportation should require all bus lines to have an option of advanced online booking and payment of bus tickets,” Arrogancia suggested.
“Advance online booking benefits passengers by giving them peace of mind, knowing they already have a ticket and a guaranteed seat on the bus. It also works to the advantage of bus companies, enabling them to better predict passenger volumes and allocate the necessary buses and drivers for operations. Ultimately, this leads to smoother and hassle-free terminal operations,” he added.
Arrogancia further suggested adding an option to pay terminal fees online or through electronic cash wallets.
“This will spare travelers the need to queue over the counter at stations,” he concluded.
