Buses in the Philippines
A couple of Filipino businessmen, I met at an auto repair shop in Angeles City, told me that when they travel to and from Manila they always take the bus to avoid the hassle of heavy traffic. I don't know if they travel at night or in the daytime.But, I advise you to travel by bus only in the daytime. Victory Lines is the oldest and largest bus line in the Philippines and has the reputation of being one of the best. They have some of the most modern and cleanest buses and they advertise, "We inspect our buses everyday."
However, on one night trip, on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), where the posted speed limit is 80 kph (or about 50 mph), I noticed that the driver was doing a lot to try to stay awake. We were traveling on a Victory Lines bus from the bus station at Mabalacat to Manila. He was stretching his legs, stretching his arms, rubbing his head and generally moving around a lot. Tired drivers are totally unacceptable, especially considering they are carrying full loads of passengers. I was genuinely worried that he might crash the bus. I was seriously considering requesting that we be let off the bus at the next rest area (where fast food and gas are sold). Well, we took our chances and stayed on the bus. Fortunately the driver stayed awake and we arrived safely in Manila.
From then on we have traveled by bus only during daylight hours.
Night bus trips on Victory Lines, via the NLEX, usually take only two hours to travel the 80 plus kilometers (approx. 50 miles), whereas day trips may take up to 3 hours due to heavier daytime traffic. Traffic in the cities is very congested. So, many people elect to travel at night to save time. As I see it now, that is probably not a good decision. Be forewarned.
It seems that every time I have ridden a bus on this route the bus passes a lot of other vehicles. Is the driver speeding? I think so but I have never seen the speedometer. I understand that drivers are paid according to how many passengers they carry each day. That probably explains their rush. On the expressway they pass cars all the time. I have been on Victory Lines buses when, after exiting the expressway, the drivers have driven in the city like they are driving a sports car. Weaving in and out of traffic recklessly and tailgating. So much for the "best" bus line in the Philippines. As a friend in the US used to say, "You pays your money, you takes your chances."
Victory Lines and Five Star bus lines are owned by the same company. The coaches of both lines are air conditioned and very cool inside. Sometimes downright cold. Take a sweater if traveling at night. I have traveled on both. Both have well appointed interiors and are clean and well kept inside and out. Both have TV screens suspended front and center, near the driver. They usually show English language DVD movies. Have never heard squeaking brakes like I have heard on some other bus lines.
On the route from Baguio to Manila, during my time in the Philippines, there were two bus crashes, on the mountainous route, resulting in deaths of passengers. These were not Victory or Five Star buses.
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| An open air bus entering the Mabalacat bus terminal. Also referred to as the Dau bus terminal. Note the "tricycles" in left foreground of picture. These motorcycles with "sidecars" attached can carry up to 5 adult passengers. You may ride to and from bus stations in tricycles or jeepneys. |
In the Metro Manila area we have ridden in some open air buses. The fares are lower than on air conditioned buses. I have a warning, don't rest your arm on the window sill. The windows push up from the bottom and may not have good latches to hold them up in place. On one occasion. on a bumpy road, the window beside me fell down in its track. That would have hurt had my arm been there then.
If you ride in an open air bus don't sit in the first few rows behind the central side door. The doors are left open and there is a constant blast of air in your face.
There are times when the buses have had a full load of passenger and then the conductor crams more people in until the center isle is full of people standing, including men and women holding babies in their arms. Talk about having a difficult time getting off the bus if you are seated anyplace but in the very front rows of seats. Imagine what would happen to those standing and those standing and holding babies if the bus were involved in a wreck. If all the seats are full on a bus it's probably best to wait for another bus.
Here is an article, written by another author, and featured at another web site, about riding city buses in Manila. In my experience the bus drivers seem to make exception for foreigners and always come to a full stop for them to board. There have been times in Manila when we had to board moving jeepneys. It was either wait another 1/2 or more or get in anyway we could.
Please share your experiences riding buses in the Philippines by commenting below!
Compare riding in buses to driving in the Philippines and riding in tricycles.
Riding in trains in the Philippines.
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This post will be expanded. Check back for more information about traveling in buses in the Philippines. Last updated June 13, 2015.
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