A FASTCRAFT vessel operator on Tuesday said they will add more roundtrips from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice versa next month, during the celebration of the MassKara Festival.
Frank Carbon, operator of Weesam Express, said they are currently preparing an additional vessel that will travel for another four daily roundtrips, on top of the four regular departures of their existing unit.
This makes a total of 20 roundtrips from 16 regular departures of three fastcraft operators at the Bredco Port in Bacolod City.
Aside from eight roundtrips of Weesam Express, Carbon said Ocean Jet with two fastcraft vessels will also have eight departures while 2GO Travel will have four.
“We target to operate the additional unit by second week of October during the start of the festival highlights, where the bulk of passengers from Iloilo are expected,” he said.
On top of 20 roundtrips by fastcrafts, the three roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessel operators can also augment about 24 departures.
“We have more than enough trips to cater to all passengers during the entire MassKara Festival celebration,” Carbon said, adding that during the festivities, the number of fastcraft passengers normally increases from an average of 1,000 to 1,500 to 2,000 daily.
No fare increase
Carbon added that there is no impending fare increase during the almost month-long MassKara Festival.
Currently, fastcraft rates for one way trip range from P200 to P450 depending on the type of accommodation.
Instead of increasing the basic rates, Carbon said they are looking at the possibility of reducing the promotions and discounts.
Passengers are currently availing discounts of P80 to P100 for every roundtrip ticket they purchase, he added.
