Buses today have become more than public utility vehicles which can cover long distances.
With much improved coaches and diversified travel options, they should also be credited for linking islands and people. In effect, they can also function as "vessels of tourism."
For one, buses have been elected as crucial players in the "seamless" travel which crosses the national road and "nautical highway," along with the RORO (roll-in, roll-off) ferry which allows travel across the seas. Cross-country trips such as Manila to Davao, Manila to Iloilo, and Manila to Aparri, are now faster, more convenient, and affordable.
Tourist traffic has never been this vibrant all over the country, especially during summer, when terminals become a virtual market place with the proliferation of passengers and enterprising vendors.
When there were only transit depots before in places like Roxas town in Mindoro, today, there is a well-developed terminal with clean restrooms and restaurants, surrounded by small eateries, souvenir stalls, and entertainment joints that cater to the growing number of travelers.
The Department of Tourism suggests bus and RORO travel through the North Luzon Loop (Pampanga, Baguio, La Union, Ilocos, Mountain Province, Cagayan); the Western Nautical Highway (Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Aklan, Iloilo, Negros); the Central Nautical Highway (Cebu, Sorsogon, Bohol, Camiguin, Davao); the Eastern Nautical Highway (Samar, Leyte); and the Pan-Philippine Highway (Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines, Albay).
Buses plying these routes are now much more comfortable, unlike before when old models could only offer dilapidated seats and unsanitary coaches. There are so many modern liners plying the highways now, noticeably foreign-made, spanking new vehicles offering "luxury" or VIP trips. For these trips, the bus company offers special models with a better configuration or lesser seats, to allow more space and utter comfort.
Their new "face" is also different, with huge rear view mirrors jutting out like antennas at the front. Colors and patterns coating their bodies are now much more varied, same with the seats and curtains – all adding for a pleasant riding experience. Air-conditioning has likewise been tempered, so that passengers don’t have to suffer the discomfort of riding through freezing conditions.
Some liners even offer a small toilet at the back, which can reduce the number of pit stops for "call of nature" breaks.
Trips, especially long distance ones, are scheduled in such a way that passengers can either sleep or relax throughout the journey. Most are set at night or after midnight, (e.g., Baguio) so that they can sleep through the trip as they reach the destination the following morning.
If they don’t feel like sleeping, onboard entertainment is provided, with radio, music, or a DVD movie playing out for the passengers.
There is no reason to get hungry along the road. At various bus stops, they can try out the local delicacies from each area, something which can be annoying to others, but for the food lovers, an exciting treat!
Bus stops now include more than bus terminals along the road. There are stops to convenient points of the town or major establishments, like shopping malls. From there, smaller vessels like FXs or vans await, to offer transit to nearby towns – continuing the seamless travel from the city to one’s barrio in the province. This is unlike before when all towns could offer were tricycles and jeeps.
Suffice to say, the government’s pitch for domestic tourism will be complemented by the emergence of this new generation buses. A bus ride is no longer an insipid necessity which one goes through to get to the province. It’s an adventure anyone with a ticket can experience. (Cruising)
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