Victory Liner Explained

Victory Liner, Inc.
Company Slogan:"We move people better...safer."
Headquarters:713 Rizal Avenue Ext., Brgy. 72, Grace Park West, Caloocan, Philippines
Locale:Luzon
Service Type:Provincial Operation
Hubs:Caloocan
Fleet:1,000+ bus units[1]
Operator:Victory Liner, Inc.
Leader Type:President
Leader:Marivic del Pilar

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]

Etymology

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.

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.

History

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, 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]

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. The new buses were manufactured by Volvo, with Thaco assmebling the structural body.[14] 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.[15] 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,[16] embarked on a "Nostalgia Ride" tour around several tourist spots in Baguio.[17]

Fleet

Victory Liner maintains and operates different buses from various manufacturers.

Current

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.
Autodelta Coach Builders

Truong Hai Group Corporation

Del Monte Motor Works

Former

Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd.
Almazora Motors Corporation
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.

Fare classes

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

Metro Manila

Provincial

Central Luzon
Ilocos Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
Cagayan Valley

Destinations

Source:[19]

Metro Manila

Provincial

Inter-Provincial Routes (vice versa)

Olongapo

Sta. Cruz

Dagupan

Baguio

Tuguegarao

Former destinations

Subsidiaries

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thy An . Thaco launches sleeper buses in Philippines. VnExpress. 1 November 2023. 18 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Humble Beginnings: Post-War Victory. Victory Liner .
  3. Web site: Orejas . Tonette . 2015-10-18 . Victory Liner zooms ahead at 70 . 2024-02-12 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  4. Web site: Route Map, Victory Liner .
  5. Web site: Victory Liner: Victorious through the years . The Philippine Star. philstar.com. November 28, 2015.
  6. News: abcatubig . 2015-10-05 . Limlingan: Victory Liner, Inc. through the years . 2017-06-23 . SunStar . en.
  7. Web site: Victory Liner pays it forward through foundation. Inquirer. Philippine Daily. business.inquirer.net. en. 2017-06-23.
  8. Web site: Orejas . Tonette . Victory Liner zooms ahead at 70 . 2017-06-23 . business.inquirer.net . en.
  9. Web site: A VICTORIOUS TRANSPORT ICON IN THE MILLENNIAL ERA . 1 March 2023 .
  10. News: Victory Liner: 65 years on the road. philstar.com. 2017-06-23.
  11. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=683636&publicationSubCategoryId=87 Philippine Star Online: Victory Liner is the newest Wi-Fi spot
  12. News: AirAsia Philippines Free Shuttle Bus Now Available in Clark - The Lost Boy Lloyd. 2012-04-05. The Lost Boy Lloyd. 2017-06-23. en-US.
  13. Web site: Navigating your way: Victory Liner’s inner city and express trips simplify travel choices. September 1, 2023. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  14. Revolutionizing bus travel: Victory Liner introduces luxurious Volvo B8R royal class buses to its fleet . . October 24, 2023 . November 5, 2023.
  15. News: Victory Liner notes strong demand for sleeper bus . ABS-CBN News . October 18, 2023 . November 5, 2023.
  16. https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2010/06/20/585487/victory-liner-riding-high-65
  17. News: ‘Nostalgia ride’: Victory Liner offers free vintage bus rides to Baguio tourist spots . Jeline . Malasig . InterAksyon . October 18, 2023 . November 5, 2023.
  18. Web site: Victory Liner marks 78th anniversary with launch of Royal Class Sleeper Bus Line. manilastandard.net. October 14, 2023.
  19. Web site: FARE & SCHEDULE. Victory Liner, Inc..

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