Baguio Takes on 'Horrendous Traffic' From Tourists' Private Cars

Tourists who will bring their own cars to Baguio will be asked to use shuttle buses when navigating the city during weekends to ease "horrendous" traffic jams, local authorities said Wednesday.

The park-and-ride Hop on and Hop Off buses are designed to minimize private cars as the city hosts some 50,000 to 60,000 tourists weekly, half of which jostle for road space during weekends, Baguio Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said on Facebook.

READ: Hacks to Make Traveling to Baguio Easier

"This will really cause traffic all over the city particularly along Botanical Garden and Mines View Park,” he said.

Tourists will be asked to park their cars at the Baguio Convention Center before touring the city via the HoHo bus, it said in a Facebook post.

Here's what you need to know:

When will it be implemented?

The city aims to revive the HoHo bus starting July 15, and will be implemented every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

What are the destinations?

The HoHo buses will take off from the Baguio Convention Center and bring tourists to the following stops, in order:

• Botanical Garden
• Mansion House
• Mines View Park
• Wright Park via Gibraltar Road
• Governor Pack Road

From the Governor Pack Road stop, tourists may walk around the central business district or visit Burnham Park.

Tourists will be given 15 to 20 minutes per stop. If they opt to stay longer, they may catch the next bus after 30 minutes.

ALSO READ:

Sagada is Open to Tourists, Here are the Requirements

GUIDE: Where to Travel for Your Last-Minute Vacation

How early is the first trip?

First trip leaves the Baguio Convention Center at 8:30 a.m. The last trip is at 6:20 p.m. from the Wright Park to Governor Pack Road drop-off point, the tourism office said.

There will be seven trips in a day.

Is the HoHo bus for free?

The HoHo bus is free "for now" but tourists parking their cars at the Baguio Convention Center will have to pay parking fees, the tourism office said.