On Tuesday following the Carnival holiday, the bus terminal in Manta has seen a surge in demand for tickets to Guayaquil and Quito. Many travelers, including Lorena Bravo, found buses fully booked as passengers bought tickets in advance. Lorena managed to secure a seat on a bus scheduled for 1:00 PM after checking with various ticket booths, highlighting the necessity of arriving early to guarantee seating during this busy time.

Elida García, another traveler, arrived at the terminal at 8:00 AM and was able to get on a bus to Guayaquil at 10:15 AM after waiting in line. She expressed that her Carnival experience was pleasant, as she had been visiting family and enjoying the beaches in Manta. The demand for tickets has been particularly high on these specific routes, which are often the most traveled during holiday periods.

As of noon, bus cooperatives had not increased their service frequency despite the high demand, leaving many passengers to wait for their turn in crowded terminals. This situation underscores the challenges travelers face during peak travel times, especially when planning returns after public holidays, prompting suggestions for better service planning and ticket availability in the future.