# Victory Liner

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, 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 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 passengers Higer Buses have each 485 kWh battery for 350 to 400 kilometers journey.

## Fleet

Victory Liner maintains and operates different buses from various manufacturers.

### Current
#### Santarosa Motor Works

* Santarosa Exfoh bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB46S (operating as a cargo bus)
** Nissan Diesel JA450SSN (operating as a cargo bus)
** Nissan Diesel SP215NSB (operating as a cargo bus)
* Santarosa Cityliner bus body
** Daewoo BH117H
** Daewoo BV115 (older units operating as a cargo bus)
** Daewoo BF106 (non air-conditioned)
** Daewoo BS106
* Santarosa Jetliner bus body
** Daewoo BV115
* Santarosa SR620 NV bus body
** Hyundai Aero Express HSX
* Santarosa Modulo bus body
** MAN RR3 19.360
** MAN R39 18.350
** MAN A85 18.280
* Nissan Diesel PKB212N (some units operating as a cargo bus)
* Iveco Euromidi CC150

#### Higer Bus Company Limited

* Higer V91 KLQ6119QE3
* Higer A80 KLQ6123K
* Higer V12 KLQ6126LY

#### Hino Motors Philippines Corporation

* Hino Grandeza II bus body
** RN8J
* Hino Grandmetro bus body
** Hino RK1JST
* Hino SBC-08 bus body
** Hino RK1JMT

#### Hyundai Motor Company

* Hyundai Universe Space Classic
* Hyundai Universe Space Comfort
* Hyundai Universe Space Luxury
* Hyundai Universe Xpress Noble
* Hyundai Super Aero City
* Hyundai Unicity

#### Kia Motors Corporation

* Kia Granbird Parkway
* Kia Granbird Bluesky
* Kia Granbird Silkroad
* Kia Granbird Sunshine

#### King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd

* King Long XMQ6117Y3

#### Almazora Motors Corporation

* Almazora Tourist Star RE bus body
** Hyundai Aero Space LS
** MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
* Almazora Tourist Star Regio bus body
** MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
** MAN RR3 19.360 HOCL

#### Zhengzhou Yutong Group Co., Ltd.

* Yutong ZK6105H
* Yutong ZK6107HA
* Yutong ZK6119HA
* Yutong ZK6122HD9
* Yutong ZK6128H
* Yutong ZK6129H

#### Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd.

* Zhongtong LCK6129H

#### Autodelta Coach Builders

* Autodelta 12-meter coach body
** Volvo B7R
** Volvo B8R
* Autodelta Marcopolo Audace 1050 replica
** Volvo B11R
Truong Hai Group Corporation
* THACO Mobihome bus body
** Volvo B8R
* THACO Bluesky 120S bus body (Facelifted by Autodelta)
** Volvo B8R

#### Del Monte Motor Works

* Del Monte Motor Works DM10 Series 2 bus body
** Hyundai Aero Express HSX
* Del Monte Motor Works DM14 Series 1 bus body
** MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
* Del Monte Motor Works DM14 Series 3 bus body
** Hino RK1JST
** Hyundai Aero Space LS
* Del Monte Motor Works DM16 S2 HID bus body
** Volvo B7R
** Volvo B8R
* Del Monte Motor Works DM18 bus body
** MAN RR3 19.360 chassis
* Del Monte Motor Works DM23 bus body
** MAN RR3 19.360 chassis

### Former
#### Anhui Ankai Automobile Co., Ltd.

* Ankai HFF6110KO6D

#### Almazora Motors Corporation

* Almazora Lion's Star bus body
** MAN A55 18.310 HOCL
* Almazora Travel Star bus body
** MAN A55 18.310 HOCL

#### Zyle Daewoo Bus

* Daewoo FX120 Cruising Star
* Daewoo FX212 Super Cruiser

#### Del Monte Motor Works

* Del Monte Motor Works "Exfoh" replica
** MAN 754 16.290 HOCL
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Del Monte Motor Works DM12 Series 1 bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Del Monte Motor Works Euro Bus replica
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Del Monte Motor Works Lion's Star bus body
** MAN A55 18.310 HOCL

#### Hyundai Motor Company

* Hyundai Aero Space LS
* Hyundai Aero Queen
* Hyundai Aero City (1st-generation)

#### Isuzu Motors

* Isuzu Cubic (1st-generation)

#### King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd

* King Long XMQ6118Y
* King Long XMQ6119T
* King Long XMQ6126Y
Guilin Daewoo Bus Co., Ltd.
* Guilin Daewoo GL6127HKC1

#### Mitsubishi Fuso

* Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Bus P-MS725S

#### UD Nissan Diesel

* Fuji Heavy Industries 5E bus body
** Nissan Diesel UA31S
* Nissan Diesel Space Runner RA
** Fuji Heavy Industries 7E bus body
*** Nissan Diesel UA460

#### Nissan Diesel Philippines Corporation

* Nissan Diesel Euro Trans bus body
** Nissan Diesel JA430SAN
** Nissan Diesel RB46S

#### Pilipinas Hino Incorporated

* Pilipinas Hino "Exfoh" bus body replica
** Nissan Diesel RB31S

#### Santarosa Motor Works

* Santarosa AKR bus body
** Nissan Diesel CPB87N
* Santarosa Exfoh Hi-Deck bus body
** MAN A55 18.310 HOCL
* Santarosa Explorer bus body
** MAN L68 14.223 HOC
* Santarosa Exfoh bus body
** Nissan Diesel CPB87N
** Nissan Diesel RB31S
* Santarosa SR620 NV bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Santarosa SR615 Flexi bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Santarosa Flexstar bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB46S
* Santarosa SDX bus body
** Nissan Diesel RB31S

#### Karl Kässbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH (Kassbohrer-Setra)

* Setra S215H

#### Kia Motors Corporation

* Kia Granbird KM948 SD-II Parkway
* Kia Granbird KM949H HD Sunshine

#### Zhengzhou Yutong Group Co., Ltd.

* Yutong ZK6100H

## Fare classes

Each and every unit of their buses has its own fare classes:
* Ordinary Fare: 3×2 seating (60 seater)
* Regular Airconditioned: 2×2 seating (45/49 seater)
* Deluxe: 2×2 seating with more leg room, USB–A charging ports and lavatory on board (41 seater)
* First Class: 2×1 seating
* Royal Class: 1×1×1 double decker reclinable bed with a curtain in every suite (28 beds)
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

* Caloocan - Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan
* Cubao - 651 EDSA, Immaculate Conception, Quezon City
* Kamias - 766 EDSA corner East Avenue, Pinyahan, Quezon City
* Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange - Parañaque
* Pasay - 712 EDSA, Pasay
* Sampaloc - Sampaloc Bus Terminal, Earnshaw Street, Sampaloc, Manila

### 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

## Destinations

Source:

### Metro Manila

* Monumento, Caloocan City
* Cubao, Quezon City
* Kamias, Quezon City
* Earnshaw Sampaloc, Manila
* EDSA, Pasay
* Divisoria, Manila
* Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Parañaque

### Provincial

* Apalit, Pampanga
* San Fernando, Pampanga
* Guagua, Pampanga
* Mabalacat, Pampanga (Dau Bus Terminal)
* Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
* Balanga, Bataan
* Olongapo
* Iba, Zambales
* Santa Cruz, Zambales
* Tarlac City, Tarlac
* Alaminos, Pangasinan
* Bolinao, Pangasinan
* Dagupan, Pangasinan
* Rosales, Pangasinan
* Manaoag, Pangasinan
* Lingayen, Pangasinan
* Sison, Pangasinan
* Baguio
* San Jose, Nueva Ecija
* Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya
* Roxas, Isabela
* Santiago, Isabela
* Ilagan, Isabela
* Cauayan, Isabela
* Aparri, Cagayan
* Tuao, Cagayan
* Tuguegarao, Cagayan
* Tabuk, Kalinga

### Inter-Provincial Routes (vice versa)

Olongapo
* Baguio (via SCTEX/TPLEX or San Fernando/Tarlac)
* Balanga
* Clark International Airport (via SCTEX)
* Dau (via San Fernando)
* Iba
* Sta. Cruz
Sta. Cruz
* Alaminos
* Baguio (via Agoo)
* Dagupan
* Olongapo
Dagupan
* Baguio (via Agoo or Manaoag)
* Bolinao (via Agoo)
* Clark International Airport
* Roxas (via Cauayan)
* Santiago
* Sta. Cruz (via Agoo)
* Tuguegarao
Baguio
* Olongapo (via SCTEX/TPLEX or San Fernando/Dau/Tarlac)
* Dagupan (via Agoo or Manaoag)
* Sta. Cruz (via Agoo)
* Bolinao (via Agoo)
Tuguegarao
* Balanga (via Dau/San Fernando)
* Dagupan
* Dau
* San Fernando

## Former destinations

* Gonzaga, Cagayan
* Jones, Isabela
* San Carlos, Pangasinan
* Banaue, Ifugao
* Santa Ana, Cagayan
* Tayug, Pangasinan
* Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
* Mariveles, Bataan

## 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 ZK6122HD9
* MAN A85 18.280 (Santarosa Motorworks "Modulo" body)
* Daewoo BV115 (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)
* King Long XMQ6117Y3
* Volvo B7R (Del Monte Motor Works DM16 S2 body)
* Volvo B8R (THACO Mobihome Limousine body)