Victory Liner (original) (raw)

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Bus company in the Philippines

Victory Liner, Inc.
A Victory Liner bus heading back to Caloocan from Tuguegarao.
Founded October 15, 1945; 79 years ago (1945-10-15)
Headquarters 713 Rizal Avenue Ext., Brgy. 72, Grace Park West, Caloocan, Philippines
Locale Luzon
Service area Metro ManilaCentral LuzonPangasinanCordillera Administrative RegionCagayan Valley
Service type Provincial Operation
Hubs Caloocan
Fleet 1,000+ bus units[1]
Operator Victory Liner, Inc.
President Marivic del Pilar
Website www.victoryliner.com Edit this at Wikidata

Victory Liner, Inc. (VLI) is a bus company in the Philippines that was established in 1945 by José Hernandez, is recognized as one of the primary providers of bus transportation in the Philippines, servicing key locations across Luzon.[2] Initially using a fleet of repurposed military vehicles, the company was instrumental in meeting the post-WWII demand for public transport.[3]

Over the years, Victory Liner has strategically grown its operations, upgrading its fleet and expanding service routes to meet the evolving needs of travelers. Today, it operates a comprehensive network that connects Central and Northern Luzon provinces, such as Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Benguet (Baguio City), Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and Cagayan.[4]

Victory Liner deploys more than 1,000 buses in its daily operations.[1][5]

The name "Victory Liner" draws its inspiration from the post-World War II era sentiment. In the 1940s, the term "Victory Joe," a nod to America's victory, resonated widely within the Philippines. José Hernandez, correlating his first name "Jose" with the English equivalent "Joe," deemed "Victory Liner" an apt and evocative name for his emerging transport business.[2]

This naming choice coincided with the company's early expansion, incorporating a team that included Hernandez as a driver-mechanic and Angel Mangahas in a similar role, with Leonardo D. Trinidad (a brother-in-law) as the conductor, Santiago Crisostomo as the mechanic, and Marta, Hernandez's wife, overseeing finances. Subsequently, Eugenio D. Trinidad, another brother-in-law, joined as a helper-conductor, contributing to the growing family operation.[3]

Victory Liner's beginnings trace back from the years of Japanese occupation in the country. Jose I. Hernandez, a mechanic from Macabebe, Pampanga, collected bits and pieces of machinery, metals and spare parts from abandoned United States Armed Forces vehicles, intending to build a delivery truck from scratch for his family's resale business of rice, corn, vegetables and their home-made laundry soap. Upon completion of the truck, he was surprised to see that what he envisioned to be a delivery truck turned out to be more like a bus.[6]

On October 15, 1945, Mr. Hernandez's first bus plied the Manila–Olongapo–Manila line. He was the driver and Leonardo D. Trinidad (a brother-in-law) was his conductor.[7] Later on[_when?_], the Hernandezes incorporated the business and Victory Liner became one of the main transport modes to shuttle passengers and goods to and from Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Tarlac, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan, Apayao, and Kalinga.[8]

In 2007, Victory Liner introduced its deluxe class for its Baguio and Cagayan Valley services.[9] The company was eventually passed on to the son of Jose Hernandez, Johnny Hernandez.[10]

In 2011, Victory Liner initially equipped 50 air-conditioned buses with Sun Cellular Wireless Broadband to allow passengers with Wi-Fi-capable devices to log on to the Internet.[11]

In April 2012, Victory Liner partnered with AirAsia Philippines to provide shuttle service for inbound and outbound passengers of Clark International Airport.[12]

In August 2023, Victory Liner classified its bus services as "Express" (via Expressway) and "Inner Cities" (via provincial towns) to make simplified travel choices for the passengers.[13]

The launching of Victory Liner's Royal Class attracted popular demand, causing some trips of the sleeper bus to be sold out.

On October 13, 2023, during the 78th anniversary event of Victory Liner, the bus company launched its Royal Class sleeper bus for its Baguio, Tabuk, and Tuguegarao services.[14] The new buses were manufactured by Volvo, with Thaco assmebling the structural body.[15] The videos of the sleeper buses went viral on social media, causing some Royal Class trips to be sold out due to popular demand. Passenger services of the Royal Class sleeper buses begun on October 23.[16] As part of the anniversary, Victory Liner also restored its "Jardinera" vintage bus. The type, which was the very first bus that plied the Manila–Olongapo route in 1945,[17] embarked on a "Nostalgia Ride" tour around several tourist spots in Baguio.[18]

Victory Liner maintains and operates different buses from various manufacturers.

Santarosa Motor Works

Higer Bus Company Limited

Hino Motors Philippines Corporation

Hyundai Motor Company

Kia Motors Corporation

King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd

Almazora Motors Corporation

Zhengzhou Yutong Group Co., Ltd.

Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd.

Autodelta Coach Builders

Truong Hai Group Corporation

Del Monte Motor Works

Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd.

Almazora Motors Corporation

Zyle Daewoo Bus

Del Monte Motor Works

Hyundai Motor Company

Isuzu Motors

King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd

Guilin Daewoo Bus Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Fuso

UD Nissan Diesel

Nissan Diesel Philippines Corporation

Pilipinas Hino Incorporated

Santarosa Motor Works

Karl Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH (Kassbohrer-Setra)

Kia Motors Corporation

Zhengzhou Yutong Group Co., Ltd.

Interior of a first class bus in 2023

Each and every unit of their buses has its own fare classes:

Note: Baguio First Class and Royal Class has a stewardess, while Cagayan/Isabela/Tabuk First Class and Royal Class has no stewardess.

Stations and terminals

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Victory Liner's terminal in Olongapo

Central Luzon

Ilocos Region

Cordillera Administrative Region

Cagayan Valley

Source:[19]

Buses of Victory Liner at its Kamias terminal in Quezon City

Old Baguio bus terminal of Victory Liner for short inter-provincial routes.

Inter-Provincial Routes (vice versa)

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Olongapo

Sta. Cruz

Dagupan

Baguio

Tuguegarao

Former destinations

[edit]

  1. ^ a b Thy An (October 18, 2023). "Thaco launches sleeper buses in Philippines". VnExpress. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Victory Liner". www.victoryliner.com.
  3. ^ a b Orejas, Tonette (October 18, 2015). "Victory Liner zooms ahead at 70". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Victory Liner". www.victoryliner.com.
  5. ^ "Victory Liner: Victorious through the years". The Philippine Star. philstar.com. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  6. ^ abcatubig (October 5, 2015). "Limlingan: Victory Liner, Inc. through the years". SunStar. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily. "Victory Liner pays it forward through foundation". business.inquirer.net. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  8. ^ Orejas, Tonette. "Victory Liner zooms ahead at 70". business.inquirer.net. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "A VICTORIOUS TRANSPORT ICON IN THE MILLENNIAL ERA". Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  10. ^ "Victory Liner: 65 years on the road". philstar.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Philippine Star Online: Victory Liner is the newest Wi-Fi spot".
  12. ^ "AirAsia Philippines Free Shuttle Bus Now Available in Clark - The Lost Boy Lloyd". The Lost Boy Lloyd. April 5, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Navigating your way: Victory Liner's inner city and express trips simplify travel choices". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 1, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Victory Liner marks 78th anniversary with launch of Royal Class Sleeper Bus Line". manilastandard.net. October 14, 2023.
  15. ^ "Revolutionizing bus travel: Victory Liner introduces luxurious Volvo B8R royal class buses to its fleet". Volvo Buses (Press release). October 24, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  16. ^ "Victory Liner notes strong demand for sleeper bus". ABS-CBN News. October 18, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  17. ^ "Victory Liner: Riding high at 65". Philstar.com.
  18. ^ Malasig, Jeline (October 18, 2023). "'Nostalgia ride': Victory Liner offers free vintage bus rides to Baguio tourist spots". InterAksyon. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  19. ^ "FARE & SCHEDULE". Victory Liner, Inc.