Victory Liner

Victory Liner, Inc.

A Victory Liner bus heading back to Caloocan from Tuguegarao.
Founded	October 15, 1945; 81 years ago (1945-10-15)
Headquarters	713 Rizal Avenue Ext., Brgy. 72, Grace Park West, Caloocan, Philippines
Locale	Luzon
Service area	Metro Manila Central Luzon Pangasinan Cordillera Administrative Region Cagayan Valley
Service type	Provincial Operation
Hubs	Caloocan
Fleet	1,000+ bus units
Operator	Victory Liner, Inc.
President	Marivic del Pilar
Website	www.victoryliner.com

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. Initially using a fleet of repurposed military vehicles, the company was instrumental in meeting the post-WWII demand for public transport.

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, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and Cagayan.

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

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.

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. 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.

In 2007, Victory Liner introduced its deluxe class (later first class) for its Baguio and Cagayan Valley services. The company was eventually passed on to the son of Jose Hernandez, Johnny Hernandez.

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.

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

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.

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. 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. 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, embarked on a "Nostalgia Ride" tour around several tourist spots in Baguio.

In November 2024, in its vision of carbon-neutral sustainable transport, VLI launched the country's first two electric buses (Quezon City–San Fernando route). The 65-seater Higer Buses each have a 485 kWh battery for a 350 to 400 kilometers journey.

Fleet

Victory Liner maintains and operates different buses from various manufacturers.

Fare classes

Every unit of their buses has its own fare classes:

• Ordinary Fare: 3×2 seating (61/66 seater)
• Economy Airconditioned: 3x2 seating with charging ports (61/66 seater)
• Regular Airconditioned: 2×2 seating with charging ports each seat (45/49 seater)
• Deluxe: 2×2 seating with more leg room, USB A and C charging ports, and onboard lavatory (41 seater. Some has 45/49 seats which it depends on the length a bus.)
• First Class: 2×1 lazyboy seating (some units in couch type) with USB A and C charging ports, free complimentary snacks with bottled mineral water, and onboard lavatory (29 seater)
• Royal Class: 1×1×1 double decker reclinable bed with a curtain in every suite, a USB A and C charging ports, a personal lamp, cup holder, free amenity kit, free blanket and free complimentary snacks with bottled mineral water and onboard lavatory (28 beds)

Note: Baguio First Class and Royal Class have a stewardess, while Cagayan/Isabela/Tabuk have no stewardess, and have been replaced by bus conductors. Also, both First Class and Royal Class passengers have access to The Lounge, an air-conditioned room with free unlimited coffee for everyone, and there is a microwave to heat your food if you want to.

Audio and Video systems and Wi-Fi are standard on all of its classes.

Stations and terminals

Provincial

Central Luzon

• Pampanga
  • Apalit - San Vicente, Apalit, Pampanga
  • San Fernando - Jose Abad Santos Avenue, Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga
  • Mabalacat - Dau Bus Terminal, 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 - Pan-Philippine Highway, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

Ilocos Region

• Pangasinan
  • Sison - Sison Bus Stop, Manila North Road, 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, Pan-Philippine Highway, 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

Calabarzon

• Laguna
  • Calamba - Bicol Isarog Transport System Terminal, Barangay Turbina, Calamba, Laguna (for Baguio, Tuguegarao and Iba trips only)

Subsidiaries

• Five Star Bus Company
• Bataan Transit
• First North Luzon Transit
• Luzon Cisco Transport
• Bicol Isarog Transport System
• German Espiritu Liner

Gallery

• Victory Liner buses
• 
  Yutong ZK6128H "C12PRO"
• 
  Higer V12 KLQ6126LY
• 
  Daewoo BS106 (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)
• 
  Volvo B7R (Del Monte Motor Works DM16 S2 body)
• 
  Volvo B8R (THACO Mobihome Limousine body)
• 
  Volvo B8R (THACO Bluesky 120S body) "Chairman's Bus"
• 
  Zhongtong LCK6129H

References

External links

• Media related to Victory Liner at Wikimedia Commons