We have mostly taken Ceres Bus Lines. There seems to be more of them and they look newer. They may be newer. In fact, the last time I took a Rough Riders bus instead, we nearly got on one that ended up breaking down just outside of Cebu City. People were mad as they put a few of them on our bus, where there was standing room only. Though, I have not seen any buses that were broken down before. Now that I think about it though, our bus had to stop for a few moments as it was over heating.
Ceres Bus in Cebu
The biggest difference I’ve seen though is in the way they drive. I have not seen Rough Riders passing another bus. I have never been on a Ceres Liner where they didn’t pass many other buses. This high speed passing is frightening to me.
The time of the bus was about the same. It took about 2.5 hours from Cebu City to Bogo. The reason for that may be the constant stopping the Ceres buses do. They rarely stop to give the driver of the passengers a break but the conductors frequently change buses. I’ve seen the Ceres bus drivers spend 30 minutes to get around a dump truck while heading up to the peak of a mountain only to have a conductor stop the bus and watch all the cars and truck we just passed, pass us again. Then once again we are stuck behind the slow moving group.
I had a friend that recently took a Rough Rider bus though and it scared him to death. He was still mostly in the city, within Metro Cebu City though. Yeah they all drive pretty aggressively within that area. Traffic can be horrendous and getting up a lot of speed is next to impossible. I’m not sure where he was though.
I’ve been on these buses many times. Almost always Ceres. A few weeks back I happened to get on a Rough Rider and immediately I noticed he was driving much more reasonable. Actually driving slowly down a gravel road that most buses seem to use speed to slide around the corners. Though I’ve only been on Rough Riders three times, there’s no doubt in my mind where I feel safer.
The Rough Riders always seems to stop at the halfway point between Cebu City and Bogo. Even with this rest stop, the total time of the trip is about the same.. I will be taking Rough Riders from now on unless there is a long wait and even if there is, I’ll probably still take a Rough Rider. The high speed passing the Ceres Buses carry out, scare me.
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Hey Rusty, Maybe they’re on their best behavior, and driving more cautiously than they have in the past. I’ll have to show you a photo of the old buses they used to have, much smaller and closed-in. I remember that the owner’s nickname was KingKong, but I’m not sure if he still owns this fleet.
I can vision King Kong.
You point is valid and I need to get back on a Ceres bus at least once more to make sure that’s not what is going on.
There was that deadly wreck in the south a few months back and it was reported the buses were racing. One would think, that might have got the enforcers attention and cracked down on them.
However, Jessie was on one bus when the drivers were informally racing back to Bogo City. That was after the crash down in the south. The Rough Riders buses seemed to be goverened or perhaps they have a different raito on their transmission. They get up as much speed but they don’t seem to have the same speed from low speed that the Ceres buses do. I’m not certain of that but it seems that way. That would make it harder for them to pass other buses.
The last time I was on a Rough Rider, he got over 110Km per hour. The fastest I have ever observed the Ceres buses going is around 85Km per hour. That doesn’t mean they can’t do more. I’m usually not in a place where I can observe the speed indicated on their speedometer.
I wasn’t happy at 110Km per hour but the passing was the scariest points for me. The drivers know the road like the back of their hand. So they know when they can go fast and when they have curves ahead.
Thing is, along most of the National Highway also known as Highway One, there are step cliffs along the side of the road. In some places, right on the road, other other places there is a row of homes between the highway and the cliff.
I don’t think they would be much of a barrier though, I think that if they left the road, they would slam right through most of the shanty type homes and right over the cliff.
Again though, I’ve said in the past, these bus drivers are really good at what they do. I use to travel by car a great deal and watch 18 wheelers do some amazing things with their trucks to avoid crashes. However, if they had just been going a bit slower, they wouldn’t have got themselves in the mess they did that required their amazing skills.
I hope they are doing better in their driving. That would be nice.. The first bus I took to Bogo was a Rough Rider and I don’t remember it passing in extremely dangerous areas then either and that was over a year ago. I’ve been living in Bogo for about a year now, just a bit more I think. And my first trip was just before that, so that had nothing to do with the wreck. It appears to me, they are just driving more cautiously than the Ceres Buses. I can’t say 100% that is the case, but in my experience, I’ve been less fearful on Rough Riders.
I’m wondering if all those changes in buses the conductors make on Ceres encourages the Ceres drivers to push harder to make up for the lost time from boarding conductors. I think the conductors do that, in part, for security reasons. Any thief would not know which conductor has money. I’ve also seen what looked like the Ceres conductors depositing the cash they have collected, I thought it was with an LBC driver along the route.
What I can say though, I feel safer with Rough Rider buses than I have with Ceres. Bob wrote an article oh his site, and it was the Rough Riders that scared him to death. I’m likely more use to it than he is since I’ve made the trip several times.
The drivers of both companies are very good at what they do. I was just less frightened on one than the other. I do usually follow my own advice, I try not to watch what is happening as there’s nothing I can do anyway.
PS, I’d love to see those pictures!
Hey Rusty,
Rough Riders bus were called “the killer bus” before…Ceres bus lines still a roller coaster in South.
How long ago was it that they were called that?
Who were they killing, passengers or motorist?
Which bus line was involved in the crash down south a few months back?
We had two men killed in Bogo last month by a bus. I don’t recall which line, the driver was in jail. He ran into the back of a motor bike.
How long ago was it that they were called that? — I just knew it through my ex girlfriend from Daanbantayan. It was 4 years ago. But I’ve heard it many times when I was in college also..
Who were they killing, passengers or motorist?–mostly motorist
Which bus line was involved in the crash down south a few months back?—I forgot as I was in Dumaguete on that time.
I think it’s true sometimes that management urges drivers to take on as many passengers as they can and complete as many trips in the day to keep up profits, which can make for really tired drivers. They have been sanctioned in the past for some runover accidents and reckless driving so now they might be forced to drive more cautiously. I know what you mean about all these bus drivers being skillful though. They know the road so well, and can really manouver well on the National Road that at times dips down till you feel like you might just go over the brink! Rusty, I’m curious about their time schedule as I havn’t ridden a bus for a while. Used to be you’d get out to the bus stop and the bus wouldn’t leave for at least an hour and a half till the bus was fully loaded with passengers to warrent leaving. Also, I remember that at one time they used to carry a lot of pigs and goats on the roof, that they would drop off at the slaughterhouse in Mandaue on the way to Cebu City. At night some of the conductors and drivers would sleep on the empty bus at the end of the day and start the whole routine over again in the early morning. I used to always like to take the first bus going to the city very early in the morning as it made less stops and was a little less dusty. Funny though, when I used to take the bus I had to make sure I was checking in somewhere and could take a shower because upon arrival I’d always look like something the cat dragged in, but Filipinos’ would just cover their faces with a handkerchief, and when they got off the bus they just dusted themselves off and they looked perfectly neat and fresh! I always admire their ability to do that.
I doubt the bus drivers make much too, the price of riding is very cheap. Bogo to Cebu City, on way is P80. It went from P60 to P120 for a bit and there were a lot of empty buses and much fewer of them too.
It doesn’t take long to get a bus these days. They fill up pretty fast from Cebu to Bogo or Bogo to Cebu. I don’t think its ever taken 30 minutes but in Cebu that’s a very hot 30 minutes as the buses are exposed to the sun. In Bogo, at least they are under a roof.
No goats or pigs on the roof, thank God! That would be amusing once and then the smell would be rough. There are often quite a few roosters in boxes and sometimes, rarely, even out of boxes and in their owners lap. Good photo opportunity.
They are dusty… I take a nice cold shower as soon as I get home. Jessie complains of the dust. She doesn’t feel freash when she’s done.
Everyone should experience a bus trip but I look forward to the day I have a car. I don’t know about a bike. Lot of people getting hurt on those and they are not safe on the highway.
One came pretty close to running over me once. I didn’t know it was coming, usually no problem knowing they are coming and most will give a quick burst of their horn but this one didn’t and one more step to the right and I’d be squashed. This is troublesome as i wasn’t walking on the same side of the road the bus should have been on. I almost always walk facing traffic so I can see what is coming at me. There was no reason for that bus driver to have done that except to harass me.
It was a Rough Rider bus. It was a while back. I use to take my video camera out with me on some walks, I tried to get video of how fast they drove down that road, funny, they didn’t drive like that when I had the camera. Its an old camera, bought around 2001 so its big and easy to see. I wasn’t filming to get them in trouble. I wish to eventually put video on my sites.
As far as I know from the Ceres Bus Lines is that, drivers have fixed pay everyday. It doesn’t matter how many passengers as they can and complete as many trips in the day to keep up profits.
Rusty–I just want to say that I’d always develop a secret crush on many of the conductors as they always dressed kind of like pirates and I liked the way they’d hold the folded money between their fingers and could make change and be so funny and friendly even though it was often so hectic. Very macho!
I haven’t noticed the pirate dress but the way they hold the money is interesting!
Note to self, learn to hold money in an odd way and get pirate costume. Then Queenie might shiver my timbers. LOL What ever that means.
I be good again, tomorrow.
Rusty, there are aircon buses in Bohol now…I used to take buses with the other side open for people to get off easy. I am not sure if these are still plying from town to town in Bohol. what I noticed are aircon buses which are faster and cleaner. These don’t stop often. Unlike the other buses which stop in almost every block of the town and every time somebody wave their hands for the bus to stop, the airconditioned buses/vans take passengers who are going directly to Tagbilaran or Tubigon or major places. I rmembered there were airconditioned Ceres that were plying Cebu to Bacolod thru San Carlos City. I used to take them to Bacolod when I could not afford the airplane tickets esp after Christmas where I go broke buying family presents.
There was one aircon bus that ran to Bogo City, it no more.
A lot of Ceres bus are two stop buses but that gets ruined because of the conductors constantly changing buses.
I haven’t seen any aircon buses at the Cebu City’s North Terminal recently. That doesn’t mean they are not there. Aircon in the buses would make the trip much more comfortable. I have not been feeling well for a while now, a bus trip would b
e bad for me right now. All that dust takes a heavy toll on me.
I might go to Bohol next month, but probably not…. Its been a year since Jessie has been home so I may go to Leyte next month.
But I also need to not spend, so I may just stay home.
Hi Terry, Haven’t seen you post in a while–I’m glad to see you here too! I was in Bohol maybe two years ago, but didn’t see any of those buses. On that note though, Bohol really lives up to it’s “clean and green” motto–it truly is! I was surprised that so many people made things by hand to sell along the road. Boholanos’ being industrious is true too. You don’t see so much of that in Cebu.
Hi Queennie, I am still here…just got back from New Jersey for my daughter’s ODP (Olympics Development Program) soccer tournament. We lost our game. She is representing NY West ODP and these are selected players in our area-Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo NY -under 14.
Where are you in the US? I am glad you did visit Bohol. Yeah, I miss the delicacies being sold when the bus stops in a town – budbud (saging, pilit, bulanghoy), kalamay, mani, turon, putong bulanghoy, etc.
You’re so kooky Rusty…. You can dress like a pirate and hold your money the right way, but can you swagger and climb to the rooftop of the bus and back down in 15 seconds? Well, you probably can swagger…
I could climb up on that bus with the proper motivation.
I don’t think they do that any more. Perhaps on the mini-buses. I’ve never seen one do that.
Queenie, Rusty climbing on top of the rooftop? He will probably get there and.. SPLAT!
LOL! that would be a sight. And who’s gonna pick him up?? Sorry Rus, can’t resist
But I think you should stick to the more comfortable seats.
Rusty, does the bus still stop at Titay’s in Liloan on it’s way back to Bogo? Also when you take the bus home, does it sross over in Sogod and head inland to Bogo or do you continue along the National Road along the coastline.
Another good article for you might be riding a jeepy any long distance. That’s a thrill ride of a different kind! The jeepny conductors are ever cuter! (I’m always attracted to the “bad boys”)
I’m not sure what the name of the place where we stop. When Ceres buses do stop they stop at one place, Rough Riders at another..
I’m also unclear what happens at Sogod. The highway is not numbered. When I looked at the map it appears theirs a road that runs closer to the coast line than does the road the bus takes. I thought that might be the old highway before it became the national highway but I am not certain. That road does not appear to go all the way to Bogo.
It seems to go a bit inland. I think that’s where there is another highway that goes to the western side of the Island. I don’t usually pay a lot of attention when I’m not driving. I did at first but they towns have all become a blur to me.
Hmm, long Jeepney ride? I can think of much less painful ways to commit suicide.
Jessie pretty much hates them so I’ve not been on them too much but I have for short rides. They are usually so crowded that I don’t care to get on them. I’m sure they people can be fun though. My longest trip in one was 17km but it was a private jeepney that belonged to Virgin Beach Resort.
Hi Terry, Sorry to hear about your daughters lost tournament. I’m near Boston, so we get thoses cold winters, but not as much as you guys in the snow belt! Yeah, my husband and I did some sightseeing that time, we went to Carmen, the Chocolate Hills, posed at the “blood compact”… We also visited the very old church–was it Baclayon? It was so beautiful, with all the old religious artifacts and statues of saints and Santo Nino. There was one small Santo Nino made european style with real blond curly hair. We were told that all these artifacts are priceless. We stayed at the Bohol Beach Club which was nice. That’s the first and only time that I’ve visited Bohol, but I enjoyed it.
Rusty, I don’t mean a really loong ride, but maybe to a couple of towns over. It’s like a rocket ship on wheels!
Oh geesh, rocket sip on wheels in a Jeepney!
I’ve done a couple of towns over but the road was too bad for them to get up speed and it was private so probably didn’t get to see the array of locals that I would have.
I took a couple of short rides in Talisay. Just getting my big self in them was interesting, mostly due to my height though.
And Rusty, I think you’re cute when you flirt–too bad you’re an equal opportunity flirtiliser!
Hmm equal opportunity? I don’t know about that… I’m very picky. Too bad you’re married….. Oh well, I can still flirt.
Titay’s is the famous bakery along the main roadside in Liloan, where you can stop and get their rosquillio cookies and great bread and such. Lately, if you stop with a private vehicle there are so many huge busses that when you try to back out it’s really risky. It’s just that all the busses in the past used to stop there and passengers were allowed to buy snacks too, before the next leg of the journey home. I was just curious about the bus route because I know that you can go either way from Damoulog junction in Sogod inland, or travel almost all along past the coastal towns to Bogo. Both routes have nice scenery. Another danger I just remembered going inland though, is passing the big sugar cane trucks coming from Bogo, loaded and heading for the Danao sugar factory.
I love Titay’s but there are other bakeries that are also good now, Pinky’s is one. You can find these in the groceries inthe city. I love the hopias in La Fortuna, the ensaymadas, the siopaos, etc.
The Rough Riders do stop at a bakery so that is probably it. There is a field on the other side of the road with mountains in the background. Its pretty stunning.
I’ve attempted to get pictures of the bakery but I don’t think I’ve ever been happy with them. I didn’t know it was so well known. That can make a boring picture significant. Lots of buses there. I believe Rough Riders stop there both coming and going, bound to be the same place.
Maybe Jessie will chime in on this. I’ll try to get her too but she’s going to Cebu City tomorrow, or at least plans too.
Tell Jessie to go to The Walk…or try the food in Cafe Laguna
Now you’re making me hungry Terry, Titay’s is really a landmark that has been there forever. Even markets and the airports sell their stuff. I love Titay’s for everything as I love sweets, especially ensaymada, rosquillios and galetas and their different pork buns. Now I guess you can even stop and have breakfast there in their small restaurant. La Fortuna is great for the hopia and siopao it’s true. I love Goldilock’s too, for their chocolate crinkle cookies. Don’t get me started…
You konow when you mention the mountains in the background maybe you’re talking about the RBC Bakery along the road in Carmen. That’s a good bakery that a lot of busses stop at too, but it has a larger parking lot in front that you can pull in and out of.
I know as you say the buses go so fast and it can be a blur, but you should start to notice the towns as you go along. I’m only really familiar with the ones in the north, but each one has it’s unique look and feel. It’s true that they can tend to run together quickly on the bus, but look for the “Welcome to….” signs in each town square as you go through. You’re a very observant guy, and I bet you’d notice a lot after all.
Hi there, I rode Rough Riders for 2 times only. That was last year when we went to Daan Bantayan to Bogo and from Daan Bantayan to Cebu City. I would always prefer Ceres Liner buses (since I’m from Bacolod and Ceres Liner is from Negros) but Rough Riders is also okay for me. I just noticed that when I’m traveling north going to our province, the speed of buses are more faster compared to the South. When I returned from Negros to Cebu via Dumaguete, I was complaining because the speed of Ceres AC unit from Liloan port was so slow. Anyway this is my observation only. I’m used to 100+ kph because in Negros you can speed up as much as you like. No worries, wide roads + sugar canes along the rode except for those populated areas and cities. There are no other bus companies in our province so there’s no competition for them unlike here in Cebu.
According from what I’ve read, the rough riders express of Cebu is now in the negotiating table with VTI for the sale of units and franchise of rough riders bus lines to Vallacar Transit (Operator of Ceres Liner). There will be units deployed in Tacloban – Palompon to give entry to VTI to have a Leyte/Samar base.
Hi Von, thanks for the information.
I’ve not been on a bus in a year!
I need to get out.
We have aircon service from Cebu City to Bogo and back now. So I will be using that bus, doesn’t matter who owns it. LAUGH.
Hi again Rusty. Thanks…
There’s no Ceres Liner in Bohol anymore. It didn’t last. i think that was 1990′s. I’m not really sure about it.
I haven’t saw any goat, pigs and any animals on top of the roof of the buses. I only saw people if there’s no space inside of the bus, vegetables and sacks full of little rocks (I forgot the name) from Negros to Cebu. That was January after the new year celebration. People doesn’t care anymore if they stand for 8 hours just to cross the island of Cebu. That was the exprience I couldn’t forget.
Anyway, have you been to Negros? If not, you can try visit my city and you’ll see beautiful scenic views along the road aside from sugarcanes. Try Ceres Liner Cebu – Bacolod via Don Salvador
First trip is 4:30am at the North Terminal A/C Ceres Liner Unit. Just make sure it is via Don Salvador. Along the road you’ll see the following:
-The Cebu Island, sipaway Island and Tañon straight on top of the mountain
-Chocolate Hills of Negros. Just like in Bohol but lesser in number (http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/negros/chocolate-hills-of-negros.html)
-The Rice Terraces. Just in in Banaue but a smaller version
-The kawasan falls. Just ask the driver or conductor to stop to take some pictures
-The pine trees along the road of Don Salvador. Just like in Baguio. Very cold
-Montain Ranges. .
I think this is not the best time to go there. It’s raining. No worries. No more insurgencies and good road condition
Try to visit during Maskarra Festival. Every third week of October is the highlight.
1 way trip will cost you
-Cebu North Terminal: Bacolod: P290
-Barge: P170 – regualar fare, Aircon – P210
Hey Von, no I have not been there, started to go once to meet a Filipina. Sadly she was one of those just trying to get me to send her money.
No most Filipina are not like that.
I would like to visit there.
I’m in Bogo City though, i wouldn’t take the rout from Cebu city. That bus rate seems high. Its much less to Bogo City. Wonder why so much more. It is around 100P from the city to Bogo. It may have gone up since my last trip a year ago.
Hi Rusty,
I only took one bus ride while in Southern Leyte, and have no idea what company it was, but it wasn’t too scary. It was a trip between Maasin City and Bato, Leyte..to catch the ferry boat back to Cebu City. But the bus driver was very aggressive, it was dark also, and he had no problems passing “anything” including other buses on this small highway.
There was a sign on the road I saw…I wish I knew the exact wording now..but it said. “Inferior pavement ahead, drive careful”. I wish we could have stopped and took a picture..I couldn’t believe it said that…haha.
Oh well…the bus drive wasn’t too bad..or crowded, but the scariest part of the trip…aside from my habal-habal ride in the mountains on back of motorcycle…was the taxi drivers in Cebu City…so very scary and aggressive they were…so different then driving back here in the USA.
Take care Rusty,
Danny
One of the first things I learned about the Philippines was it is diverse! That I should never say that something is this way or that way through out the Philippines.
Perhaps the driving in Cebu is just crazy.
Maybe its not nationwide. I once saw an article where someone listed his favorite things about the Philippines is the buses? He was in Luzon. Its a lot different there from what I read in his article.
I’m pretty sure you follow Mindanao Bob? Ask him about the buses here for more insight too. I got a chuckle about his bus ride up to Bogo City, just like Paul Petrea seemed to get after my first ride up here. If I recall right, he said something about being scared to death! HAHA.
Since you were taken by the aggressive driving of the cabbies in Cebu, perhaps it is a part of the Cebu Experience!
Thanks for the input!
Hi Rusty, my Philipino wife and I always travel Ceres bus lines, reason, we know the owner Mrs Olivier Yanson. She has strict rules governing her drivers, be involved in any accident your fault or not and your dismissed, this I think is a massive deterent to wrong doing when you consider the benefits they at Ceres transport enjoy, all in all they have an impresive safety record, they are constantly trying to improve their service and if you have any complaints about a particular driver, inform the ticket office when you get off the bus and it will be dealt with swiftly, enjoy the Phil as I do happy motoring.
I’m sure Mrs. Yanson is very fine person. All the bus drivers I’ve seen have been very likable. However, they often drive too fast and they appear to be racing at times. I wish they’d stop it!
In yesterday’s Freeman, there was a picture of on on its side sprawled across Highway 1. It was near Sogod. I have no idea what caused it. For all I know the bus driver performed magnificently. I’d be willing to bet he did. They are fantastic drivers. If they were not, there would be many wrecks.
I usually take them too. I will likely always take them as they have three aircon buses between here and the city. How often do you take the bus? You’ve never seen them race?
Now, its been about a year since I was last one a bus. Things might have changed. I know there were improvements the last time I took one. After the two buses in Southern Cebu crashed, in which witnesses indicated the buses were racing, i noticed significant changes.
There have been some Filipino comment on this article. They seem to also think the buses need to slow down, at least as of the time this article was published.
I’m sure Mrs. Yanax would wring some necks if she had seen what I’ve seen. Its good to know, she’s doing all she can to keep the drivers driving safe. The people of the Philippines, have wonderful spirits, it is rare that I find a native that will not bend over backwards for their fellow man. It is even more rare to find one that would bring harm to another person.
Last week, I read for two people selling medications that had been tampered with. I was not surprised to read further that they were not Filipino. Most Filipino would never do something like that. I’ve found it rare that Filipino would engage in any practice that they thought might bring harm to others. I hope you’ll thank Mrs. Yanson for having policies in place that protect all of us!
Thanks for sharing this! Do you know, do the conductors change buses so often for security reasons? A few times, it appeared they they deposited the cash the collected with LBC drivers along the route. It would seem to be a good practice but I’m not sure of their reasons..
Hi again Rusty. I forgot to mention that Bacolod in on the other Isand. Bacolod is the Capital of Negros Occidental (on the west coast facing Panay Island) while Dumaguete is the Capital of Negros Oriental facing Cebu Island. For sure you heard about Dumaguete. That’s why the price seems so high because you will travel from Cebu Island to Negros Island crossing Tañon Straight.
The Yanyon’s are very strict in implementing their safety policies for their passengers. They maintain their buses very well. They have their own shop that assembles buses. Their yellow buses here in Cebu were made in Bacolod. I think the conductors change buses. Because when I travel, I would always remember their faces and I would sometimes talk to them. I don’t have any idea about LBC drivers. Most of the conductors would deposit the cash to their base terminal. All buses from Bacolod to Cebu starting with body number 5**** will deposit the cash in Bacolod North Ceres Terminal. All buses from Dumaguete-Cebu starting with body number 7**** will deposit the cash in Dumageute Ceres Terminal. All buses in Cebu starting with body number 8**** that plies the southern province will deposit their cash in their office/garage near South bus terminal while buses for northbound will deposit the cash in their Cebu main office in Mandaue near the north bus terminal. Body number 6*** are based in Iloilo for their Panay Island operations and Iloilo – Manila Operations. I think this also applies for their Mindanao operations. They are also the owner of Bachelors Express and Rural Transit Mindanao and for the Manila – Batangas, the Ceres Transport.
Not my company but I wouldn’t fire people just because they were in an accident. I’d think I’d want to know the facts. Sounds like a great way to get rid of good people who may have preformed superbly. Then hire someone else that to replace them that is lacks judgment but is untested.
I don’t think you understood me. In Cebu, the conductors constantly change buses. There is not always a conductor on every bus, instead they constantly stop the bus to get off and get on another bus.
Every few minutes, the bus is stopping again and the conductor is changing buses. Its zoom as fast as they can go then stop for the conductor to change buses. While they are stopped, the all the slower trucks the bus passed, pass the bus again. Then the bus catches them and passes them again, often when they shouldn’t.
I see unsafe operation nearly each time I get on a bus. Probably every time but my memory is not that good.
For ceres liner, there are inspectors. They are scattered everywhere in every route. They check tickets issued by the conductors to the passengers. They count the number of passengers and check the copies of tickets of the conductors. They even check the id’s of students and senior citizens and then sign the white paper something then jumps off for another bus. I don’t know if the other bus companies are also doing that. Maybe the D’Rough riders are also practicing that kind of operation. For mini buses of ceres that has a non stop sign, there’s no conductor anymore. I think the inspector will still check the tickets from the driver.
I am also thinking that they are in hurry to get to their next stop on time because maybe they are already delayed. There’s a small clock on the left side of the driver. This is just my observation.
Hey Von,
Its been a year since I’ve been out of Bogo. Wow, too long. I have not been feeling well
Anyway, then perhaps we no longer have conductors here. Everyone refers to them as conductors but there is no one that stays on the bus for the entire trip other than the driver. They constantly get on and off the bus. I don’t know what policy is but that is what they do here. I have never seen anyone check a students ID.
They do seem to be checking passengers vs tickets. Since passengers get on and off along the way, I’ve never been able to figure out just how they do it. If Rough Riders has them, its not a common thing. Inspectors will board and leave a bus on the way to Cebu many times each trip on Ceres. At least five, usually much more often. It makes the trip much longer.
Ceres buses don’t stop for a break half way through but the trip takes just as long as the D’rough Riders because of all those transfers. There have been Filipino on say on this website that they prefer the Ceres bus lines because they drive much faster. The total time of the trip is the same. I don’t think they really drive much faster. I think they take more chances because the multiple transfers of the inspectors slows them down and they need to make up the time. I mean they are more likely to need to pass slower trucks on those winding curving mountain roads. I don’t KNOW this, just my guess.
Again, its been a year since i took a trip, things might have changed. I need to go to Tacloban next month but I also need to go to Cebu. Don’t know if I’ll be able to do either. If I do go to Cebu, I’ll be on one Ceres’ aircon buses. The drivers are very good at waht they do, I do think they could be a lot safer though. Not picking on Ceres either. The owner maybe should consider secret inspectors, just there to monitor buses. No one, even management, should know they are on board or in the area.
try to ride ROUGH RIDER BUS named JUDIA driven by a certain FREDDIE (a.k.a. WINDOW) down south via BARILI to SAMBOAN, it would be a great and frightening experience. it seems that the bus is like a car as it passes vehicles big or small.
Haha yes, the drive does make a lot of difference but I HEAR its a little rougher down south. I have not been able to get down that way