67 years of moving people better and safer
MANILA, Philippines - In 1945, fresh from the adversity brought by the Japanese occupation, Jose Isaac Hernandez saw an opportunity to earn a living. Using spare parts from military vehicles left behind by the US military, Hernandez and his brothers-in-law Leonardo and Eugenio built a delivery truck for their food trading business. With public transportation still in disarray, people started to pay Hernandez for hitching a ride on his truck. Turning the truck into an “open” bus was a visionary move for Hernandez, one that proved ahead of its time.
Fast forward six decades: today, that open bus has become Victory Liner, one of the largest and most trusted bus companies in the Philippines.
The dynamic expansion, not only in terms of number of buses, terminals and routes but also in its track record and commitment to provide passengers the best bus transportation experience, truly make Victory Liner everyone’s favorite bus companion. But its dedication to extraordinary service started a long time ago.
Post World War II, the public found it hard to travel around Luzon, relying only on passing vehicles to give them a ride. When American passengers started to voluntarily pay Hernandez for their ride, Hernandez thought of charging a small fee. To make riders comfortable, he placed wooden planks across the truck bed to serve as “seats.” Embracing the name “Victory Liner” from the catchword “victory” introduced by the jubilant Americans, Victory Liner established its first terminal in Azcarraga (now Claro M. Recto Avenue) corner Juan Luna streets in Binondo. On Oct. 15, 1945, Victory Liner made its maiden voyage of Batangas Pier-Divisoria before changing it to Divisoria-Olongapo.
Victory Liner’s 1st Ave. terminal in Caloocan, 1954Bus drivers were trained to become good mechanics to ensure that every bus ride went smoothly. This made Victory Liner more efficient than other companies. Victory Liner also ushered in home service — fetching passengers from their home. The added service further intensified Victory Liner’s reputation as the preferred bus company of most travelers.
Before the ‘60s started, Victory Liner had exponentially broadened its reach. First, it had acquired Try–V-Tran, the largest bus company servicing the Manila-Zambales route. With the purchase, Victory Liner was able to gain a foothold in the Zambales market. In the years to follow, Victory Liner achieved operational highlights one after the other: importing of completely built-up buses and introduction of provincial air-conditioned buses and radio communications equipment, among others. The arrival of an Isuzu steel-bodied bus was a breakthrough achievement from the first Victory Liner “open bus” that plied Recto.
Always thinking of its patrons, Victory Liner built terminals, meal stops, refueling stations and rest areas for passengers and crew. It was also the first to introduce a deluxe bus with a bus stewardess serving snacks and refreshments on board. The year 1983 saw another feather in Victory Liner’s cap: a Betamax-on-board experience. Victory Liner bought bus units equipped with Betamax. The innovation made it possible for bus passengers to watch movies from the comfort of their bus seats.
In addition, all buses are subjected to meticulous check-up prior to every journey and maintenance afterward. The company has also enacted a “running time” rule, which establishes a certain speed limit to avoid reckless driving, speeding and road accidents. Likewise, buses are equipped with GPS speed and location sensors.
The same spirit of innovation and gratitude has led the bus company to form the Doña Marta Hernandez Foundation. As the philanthropic arm of Victory Liner, the foundation leads scholarship programs, gift giving activities, model employee awards, etc.
Pushing towards reinventing bus travel experience, Victory Liner has constantly gone the extra mile. Now passengers can transform the bus into a thriving hub of business and digital entertainment. With the free Wi-Fi service in selected Victory Liner buses and routes, passengers have constant connectivity even when they’re on the road. Through its website, www.victoryliner.com, Victory Liner provides an advanced ticketing system which allows passengers to purchase bus tickets online. Travel updates and trip updates may also be viewed via Twitter (@Victorylinerinc) and Facebook (Victory Liner Travel Alerts).
Victory Liner has also launched Byaheng Victory tours, a series of group tours showcasing some of the most breathtaking North Luzon destinations.
Jose Isaac Hernandez first transformed a truck into a passenger bus; little did he know that his action would start a transformation. Sixty-seven years later, Hernandez’s Victory Liner continues to change the bus travel experience into a journey like no other.
