It all started when the conductor asked me if I was comfortably seated on a step near the door. I was sitting there because I offered my seat to a passenger who rode the bus on the way during my trip to Baguio for the Pilipinas Akyathlon. “Dibali sir, pagdating natin sa susunod na bayan may bababa, makaka-upo na kayo.” The truth is, I liked that seat more than my original seat because it gave me a different perspective of the road on night buses and it gave way for me to know the driver and the conductor.
“9PM na pala. TLC na.” Kuya Bryan, the conductor, then checked the passengers, “May nanonood pa, tapusin muna natin ang palabas bago natin buksan ang radyo.” and went back to his position near the door. I asked what TLC means, “True Love Conversations” a radio show on Love Radio that was hosted by Papa Jack. Apparently, Papa Jack was a hit for night shift buses because it keeps both the driver and the conductor awake by giving entertaining and true thoughts about love and life.
“Kuya, pansin ko lang na ang dami ng mga tao sa labas ang pumapara sa inyo pero hindi kayo tumitigil?” Kuya William, the driver, answered “Nakakahiya po kasi sa mga pasaherong naka-upo kapag may nakatayo dahil nakaka-abala po. Pati ayaw po namin na pagod ang isang pasahero habang nakatayong lumalakbay, maslalo na sa mga ganito kahabang biyahe.“
As soon as the credits of the movie showed, Kuya Bryan quickly turned the TV off and the radio on. The signal for Love Radio was a bit chappy, luckily Papa Jack was not yet on air. “Paano ba yan kuya, hindi maganda ang signal.” “Ayos lang yan sir, medyo may kalayuan na kasi tayo sa signal ng Maynila, maya-maya ililipat natin ng frequency magiging malinaw yan.” Since they’ve been going back and forth the same route for countless times, they managed to memorize the different frequencies of radio stations in the different provinces en route.
I asked them if there were other unique and good destinations that I could visit, but unfortunately Kuya Bryan and Kuya William only said about the Isdaan Restaurant in Tarlac and the Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan. Fortunately, I got other interesting informations like the Manaoag Church was famous for miracles that the company made a special trip schedule for the regular attenders of the mass every Sunday back and forth. And sometimes the people going there were too many for a single bus that they had to make another trip on the same schedule.
We talked lots and lots about life and I also shared some of my stories and ideas. I had a great time knowing the crew of Victory Liner Bus #1214. They were friendly and courteous.
And when one of the passengers alighted, unfortunately, I had to return back to my sit to wait for Papa Jack to be on-air. And when he did, Kuya William and Bryan listened and commented on the situation of the caller and agreed to Papa Jack’s hurtful true and practical advises.
Throughout our conversations here’s a list of what I found out about the strict Safety and Comfort Standards of Victory Liner Buses
- They prevent standing passengers, that’s why they do not pick up possible passengers when the bus is full. They only pick up when they know that some of the passengers will go down on a nearby town. The reason for this is that they do not want sleeping passengers to be disturbed by standing passengers. Also they do not want the passengers to be tired from standing during a trip.
- All buses are equipped and tracked via GPS. If they enter an Express Way their main office will be alarmed when the bus goes over 100 kms/hr. An alarm will mean a suspension for the driver, no more second chances.
- Buses are cleaned every trip.
- Baguio-Manila drivers and conductors only has one trip a day to ensure that they are well rested during the trip.
- All buses have CCTV cameras and microphones to monitor the bus, passengers, driver and conductor’s situation during the trip.
Victory Liner Bus Station at Baguio
When the bus arrived at Baguio City, I could not stop myself from shaking their hands and thanking them for the safe, comfortable and enjoyable ride. Knowing them will let you know that they should be recognized by the passengers for their service unlike the usual unacknowledged persons they are.
I’d like to extend my thanks to the following for the pictures (in order of appearance)
- Paraiso Philippines (http://www.paraisophilippines.com/2009/03/07/)
- karloscamilius (http://www.flickr.com/photos/camilius/3209595402/)
A travel blog by Josiah Sicad that aims to make Filipinos Travel Responsibly and observe the unique culture of the Philippines. 
Got goosebumps reading this entry because of the customer service as well as safety. Makes me want to ride a Victory Liner bus just to experience this situation! — sensya na, affected talaga ako basta customer service ang pinag-uusapan. hehe
no problem Ed! very important nga ang customer service. Maslalo na sa mga transportations.
I spent a 10h bus ride from Manila to Daet sitting in between the bus driver and the conductor. The seats were full, I couldn’t sleep because there was no headrest so I spent the whole time chatting with the driver. He was worried about us 2 girls spending the night on Calaguas, how sweet. It was the greatest bus ride ever.
Buti ka pa 10 hours. I only got almost an hour to get to know the driver and the conductor. Sayang, ang dami pa naman nilang kwento tungkol sa mga biyahe nila.
I like Victory Liner too, very good service, malinis ang bus, maayos at malinis din ang stopover nila on the way to Baguio
I agree! at hindi pa kulang yung spacing nila in between seats. Mahaba kasi legs ko.
That is a really nice thing to know. Now I can feel much safer when I go to Baguio.
Have a nice and safe trip to Baguio Kay.
I can relate to this one. This is really true when I was assigned one time in San Jose, Nueva Ecija and took Victoria Liner to Cabanatuan City. They are friendly and courteous. The service is guaranteed ok. At may maliit na ref pa sa may tabi if you like to have some softdrinks. That time, I’m just purely a traveler and hindi pa blogger…hindi ko tuloy na isulat ang experience kong yon. Malay natin, makabalik, at least may updates din. Thanks Josiah.
I didn’t know they had a ref. Minsan nga masubukan bumili sa conductor out of the blue. Thanks also for the additional info Bonzenti.
I always go for Victory kaso mejo my kamahalan compared sa iba. pero maganda nga service nila. good to know yung alarm system nila kapag nag-exceed ng 100 kms/hr para maiwasan nga naman ang aksidente. at natuwa ako sa last pic, now ko lng nalaman na ang Microtel Baguio pala ay nasa likod lng ng Victory, d ko xa napansin date. haha
just got back from a Baguio trip. sa picture ko lang din nalaman na ang microtel ay nasa likod ng Victory. Nakita ko na siya sa personal at ang laki ng karatula.
All bus companies should practice the same strict safety measures. It’s disheartening to hear about bus accidents. Imagine dying on the way to a supposedly relaxing holiday, or worse on the way home to see family.
I agree. Ang lungkot kapag ganyan ang nangyari. Happy familiy vacation turned into disaster.
ako din, nasubukan ko na sumakay sa victory liner, malinis sa bus at komportable, malayong malayo sa genesis bus na byaheng baler at casiguran, sira sira na yung bus, kadumi pa, kadalas ko pa naman pumunta sa baler dati, pero mas ok na yung genesis kaysa sa d’liner.
hehe
Hi Josiah,
Travelling by Bus to the countryside
is very enjoyable. For me, I prefer
this than travelling by even the most
modern Cars or Vans because I enjoy
seeing the landscapes, the Filipinos
and their wey of life, except that I
hate the unsanitary Toilets during stops.
I took the Victory Liner travelling
many times to Bataan, Baguio,Pampanga, Pangasinan, etc. I found it very interesting to observe how the Conductors collect the Fares and took note of the Passengers. They asked
first the Passengers where their
destinations (perhaps taking note
when the Seats will be vacated for them to pick up new Passengers on the
way or at stops), then they started
collecting, folding the bills between
their fingers. Collect the fare, give the Receipt/Ticket but first
punching holes fast depending upon
the amount paid. If he can not give the change to a Paper Bill, he will
tell the Passenger that he will return the change later. Then he
continue to collect up to the last
Passenger. Only after he had collected from everybody, he returns
to the Passengers giving them their
exact change. Considering that there are more than 30 Passengers with different destinations, I find the Conductors very intelligent. He
even stops during collections when
the Bus stops to assist a Passenger who wish to alight.
My husband was very much amused with
this. Travelling by regular Buses to
the countryside is already a privelege because you pay very very cheap compared to the Tourist Buses
or chartered Car.
By the way, I was never bored because
I ate boiled Peanuts (sold at Stops) whenever there was no interesting to see outside.
Travelling however to Naga and Legaspi is more interesting by Rail.
Then I could see the landscapes and
stand or walk a little when tired.
Thanks for sharing, I hope your
Readers will appreciate also the
little things/Filipino way of life and beautiful environment along their ways!!!
Nope.
This may be true, but the painful truth remains that there are more reckless and greedy drivers who don’t give a rat’s ass about the safety of their passengers than there are careful ones…
August 23, 2012 – Raymond Senera, 22 year old fresh college graduate was driving a motorcycle on his way to his way to his girlfiend’s house met his untimely death because of an incompetent driver from Victory liner. Raymond was in Calaylayan Abucay and a bus stopped short just in front of him to take passengers, the victim has decided to overtake the bus in front of him when the driver of a Victory Liner bus from behind him drove off in a frantic attempt to acquire passengers. The bus bumped his motorcycle as it went past him, causing the motorcycle to swerve off track and Raymond got run over by the bus’ 2 massive rear tires. He suffered a broken pelvis, as well as damages to his ribs and spinal column. He was rushed to ICMC hospital and lost his life around 6 PM due to cardiac arrest in connection to the injuries he acquired.
His family and friends will forever mourn his tragic fate, and as of today are seeking justice. Victory Liner operations should be suspended, licenses revoked if possible. More lives will be lost if these money hungry and careless drivers would be allowed to continue driving without proper training.