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Victory Liner

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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]

Victory Liner, Inc.
A Victory Liner DMMW Volvo B8R bus heading back to Caloocan from Tuguegarao.
FoundedOctober 15, 1945; 78 years ago (1945-10-15)
Headquarters713 Rizal Avenue Ext., Brgy. 72, Grace Park West, Caloocan, Philippines
LocaleLuzon
Service area
Service typeProvincial Operation
HubsCaloocan
Fleet1,000+ bus units[1]
OperatorVictory Liner, Inc.
PresidentMarivic del Pilar
Websitewww.victoryliner.com Edit this at Wikidata

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]

Etymology

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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]

History

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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]

Fleet

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Victory Liner maintains and operates different buses from various manufacturers.

Current

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Santarosa Motor Works
  • Santarosa Exfoh bus body
    • Nissan Diesel RB46S (operating as a cargo bus)
    • Nissan Diesel JA450SSN (operating as a cargo bus)
  • Santarosa Cityliner bus body
    • Daewoo BH117H
    • Daewoo BV115 (older units operating as a cargo bus)
    • Daewoo BF106 (non air-conditioned)
    • Daewoo BS106
  • Santarosa Jetliner bus body
    • Daewoo BV115
  • Santarosa NV SR620 bus body
    • Hyundai Aero Express HSX
  • Santarosa Modulo bus body
    • MAN RR3 19.360
    • MAN R39 18.350
    • MAN A85 18.280
  • Nissan Diesel PKB212N
Higer Bus
  • Higer V91 KLQ6119QE3
  • Higer A80 KLQ6123K
Hino Motors
  • Hino Grandeza II bus body
    • RN8J
  • Hino Grandmetro bus body
    • Hino RK1JST
  • Hino SBC-08 bus body
    • Hino RK1JMT
Hyundai Motor Company
  • Hyundai Universe Space Classic
  • Hyundai Universe Space Comfort
  • Hyundai Universe Space Luxury
  • Hyundai Universe Express Noble
  • Hyundai Super Aero City
  • Hyundai Unicity
Kia Motors
  • Kia Granbird Parkway
  • Kia Granbird Bluesky
  • Kia Granbird Silkroad
  • Kia Granbird Sunshine
King Long
  • King Long XMQ6117Y3
Almazora Motors Corporation
  • Almazora Tourist Star RE bus body
    • Hyundai Aero Space LS
    • MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
  • Almazora Tourist Star Regio bus body
    • MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
    • MAN RR3 19.360 HOCL
Yutong
  • Yutong ZK6105H
  • Yutong ZK6107HA
  • Yutong ZK6119HA
  • Yutong ZK6122HD9
  • Yutong ZK6128H
  • Yutong ZK6129H
Autodelta Coach Builders
  • Autodelta 12-meter coach body
    • Volvo B7R
    • Volvo B8R
  • Autodelta Marcopolo Audace 1050 replica
    • Volvo B11R

Truong Hai Group Corporation

  • THACO Mobihome bus body
    • Volvo B8R
Del Monte Motor Works
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM10 Series 2 bus body
    • Hyundai Aero Express HSX
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM14 Series 1 bus body
    • MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM14 Series 3 bus body
    • Hino RK1JST
    • Hyundai Aero Space LS
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM16 S2 HID bus body
    • Volvo B7R
    • Volvo B8R
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM18 bus body
    • MAN RR3 19.360 chassis
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM23 bus body
    • MAN RR3 19.360 chassis

Former

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Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd.
  • Ankai HFF6110KO6D
Almazora Motors Corporation
  • Almazora Lion's Star bus body
    • MAN A55 18.310 HOCL
  • Almazora Travel Star bus body
    • MAN A55 18.310 HOCL
Del Monte Motor Works
  • Del Monte Motor Works DM12 Series 1 bus body
    • Nissan Diesel RB46S
  • Del Monte Motor Works Euro Bus replica
    • Nissan Diesel RB46S
  • Del Monte Motor Works Lion's Star bus body
    • MAN A55 18.310 HOCL
Hyundai Motor Company
  • Hyundai Aero Space LS
  • Hyundai Aero Queen
  • Hyundai Aero City (1st-generation)
Isuzu Motors
  • Isuzu Cubic (1st-generation)
King Long
  • King Long XMQ6118Y
  • King Long XMQ6119T
  • King Long XMQ6126Y

Guilin Daewoo Bus Co., Ltd.

  • Guilin Daewoo GL6127HKC1
Mitsubishi Fuso
  • Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Bus P-MS725S
UD Nissan Diesel
  • Fuji Heavy Industries 5E bus body
    • Nissan Diesel UA31S
  • Nissan Diesel Space Runner RA
    • Fuji Heavy Industries 7E bus body
      • Nissan Diesel UA460
Nissan Diesel Philippines Corporation
  • Nissan Diesel Euro Trans JA430SAN
  • Nissan Diesel Euro Trans RB46SR
Pilipinas Hino Incorporated
  • Pilipinas Hino "Exfoh" bus body replica
    • Nissan Diesel RB31S
Santarosa Motor Works
  • Santarosa MAN Exfoh Hi-Deck
  • Santarosa MAN Explorer
  • Santarosa Nissan Diesel CPB87N
  • Santarosa Nissan Diesel NV620
  • Santarosa Nissan Diesel Flexi
  • Santarosa Nissan Diesel Flexstar
  • Santarosa Nissan Diesel SDX
Kassbohrer-Setra
  • Setra S215
Kia Motors
  • Kia Granbird KM948 SD-II Parkway
  • Kia Granbird KM949H HD Sunshine
Yutong
  • Yutong ZK6100H

Fare classes

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Interior of a first class bus in 2023

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

  • Ordinary Fare: 3×2 seating (60 seater)
  • Regular Airconditioned: 2×2 seating (45/49 seater)
  • Deluxe: 2×2 seating with more leg room, USB–A charging ports and lavatory on board (41 seater)
  • First Class: 2×1 seating
  • Royal Class: 1×1×1 double decker reclinable bed with a curtain in every suite (28 beds)[14]

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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Metro Manila

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  • Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan
  • EDSA Cubao, Quezon City
  • EDSA Kamias, Quezon City
  • EDSA Pasay
  • Earnshaw St., Sampaloc, Manila
  • Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Parañaque

Provincial

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Victory Liner's terminal in Olongapo
Central Luzon
  • Pampanga
    • Apalit - San Vicente, Apalit, Pampanga
    • San Fernando - Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga
    • Mabalacat - Dau Bus Terminal, R9, Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga
  • Bataan
    • Balanga - Bataan City Terminal, Ibayo, Balanga, Bataan
  • Zambales
    • Iba - Palanginan, Iba, Zambales
    • Olongapo - West Bajac-bajac, Olongapo
    • Santa Cruz - Poblacion North, Santa Cruz, Zambales
  • Tarlac
    • Tarlac City - Zamora St, Tarlac City, Tarlac
  • Nueva Ecija
    • San Jose - AH26, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
Ilocos Region
  • Pangasinan
    • Sison - Sison Bus Stop, MacArthur Hwy, Sison, Pangasinan
    • Alaminos - Quezon Avenue, Poblacion, Alaminos, Pangasinan
    • Bolinao - Concordia, Bolinao, Pangasinan
    • Dagupan - Perez Boulevard, Herrero-Perez, Dagupan
    • Lingayen - Avenida Rizal East, Lingayen, Pangasinan
Cordillera Administrative Region
  • Baguio
    • Baguio - Upper Session Road, Barangay Marcoville, Baguio
  • Kalinga
    • Bulanao, Tabuk, Kalinga
    • Daguitan Street, Poblacion, Dagupan Weste, Tabuk, Kalinga
Cagayan Valley
  • Nueva Vizcaya
    • Aritao - CCQ Bus Stop and Resto, AH26, Dupax Del Sur, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
  • Isabela
    • Cauayan - Dy-Seven Gasoline Station, San Fermin, Cauayan, Isabela
    • Ilagan - Guinatan, Ilagan, Isabela
    • Roxas - Bantug, Roxas, Isabela
    • Santiago - Calao East, Santiago, Isabela
  • Cagayan
    • Aparri - United Petron Station 2, Gen. Luna St., Macanaya District, Aparri, Cagayan
    • Tuao - Tuao Integrated Bus Terminal, Tuao, Cagayan
    • Tuguegarao - Maharlika Highway, Penge-Ruyu, Tuguegarao, Cagayan

Destinations

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Source:[19]

Metro Manila

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Buses of Victory Liner at its Kamias terminal in Quezon City

Provincial

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

Inter-Provincial Routes (vice versa)

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Olongapo

  • Baguio (via SCTEX/TPLEX or San Fernando/Tarlac)
  • Balanga
  • Clark International Airport (via SCTEX)
  • Dau (via San Fernando)
  • Iba
  • Sta. Cruz

Sta. Cruz

  • Alaminos
  • Baguio (via Agoo)
  • Dagupan
  • Olongapo

Dagupan

  • Baguio (via Agoo or Manaoag)
  • Bolinao (via Agoo)
  • Clark International Airport
  • Roxas (via Cauayan)
  • Santiago
  • Sta. Cruz (via Agoo)
  • Tuguegarao

Baguio

  • Olongapo (via SCTEX/TPLEX or San Fernando/Tarlac)
  • Dagupan (via Agoo or Manaoag)
  • Sta. Cruz (via Agoo)
  • Bolinao (via Agoo)

Tuguegarao

  • Balanga (via Dau/San Fernando)
  • Dagupan
  • Dau
  • San Fernando

Former destinations

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Subsidiaries

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  • Victory Liner buses
  •  
    Yutong ZK6122HD9
  •  
    MAN A85 18.280 (Santarosa Motorworks "Modulo" body)
  •  
    Daewoo BV115 (Santarosa Motorworks "Jetliner" body)
  •  
    Hyundai Universe Space Luxury "Premium"
  •  
    Nissan Diesel PKB212N (Santarosa Motorworks "Exfoh" body)
  •  
    MAN R39 18.350 (Almazora Motors "Tourist Star Deluxe" body)
  •  
    Daewoo BH117H (Santarosa Motorworks "Cityliner" body)
  •  
    King Long XMQ6117Y3
  •  
    Volvo B7R (Del Monte Motor Works DM16 S2 body)
  •  
    Volvo B8R (THACO Mobihome Limousine body)

References

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  1. ^ a b Thy An (October 18, 2023). "Thaco launches sleeper buses in Philippines". VnExpress. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Humble Beginnings: Post-War Victory. Victory Liner".
  3. ^ a b Orejas, Tonette (October 18, 2015). "Victory Liner zooms ahead at 70". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Route Map, Victory Liner".
  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. ^ https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2010/06/20/585487/victory-liner-riding-high-65
  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.
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