How to Safely Travel Within Zambales (Plus Other Luzon Destinations) Via Bus in the New Normal

While many Filipinos were left stranded across the country during the lockdown, local bus company Victory Liner lent a hand with a cargo delivery service and employee bus shuttles for rent within Metro Manila. Now, we have more good news — and this time, it’s for Zambaleños! 

To help out Filipinos during the general community quarantine, Victory Liner has resumed their Olongapo – Iba – Sta. Cruz bus services to make it easier for office workers to travel across municipalities in Zambales — all without sacrificing their comfort and health! From newly reopened routes to the latest safety guidelines that you can expect for bus trips in the future, here’s everything you need to know.

Safety protocols and quarantine measures in Zambales

First, let’s take a look at Zambales and the current safety protocols there. At the time of writing, Zambales is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), while Olongapo City will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until 30 Jun 2020. 

Since a majority of the province remains on lockdown, everyone must wear a face mask, wash their hands frequently, and practise social distancing at all times. Staying at home is also strongly advised unless you need to acquire essential goods outside or work in essential businesses that were granted permission by the government to resume operations. 

All workers in essential industries such as health care, agriculture, food manufacturing and supply chains, groceries, banking, funeral services, security, and emergency response are allowed to travel for work within Zambales. 

Sta. Cruz, Zambales | Image credit: Ramon FVelasquez

For employees who need to commute across towns in Zambales, a possible option for public transportation is riding a jeepney to work. In Olongapo City, jeepney operators have started to pick up passengers at reduced capacity. Following strict health protocols, passengers are required to practise physical distancing inside the vehicles and provide basic information for contact tracing. 

But if you need to travel long distances, the best way to navigate the province of Zambales is by taking the bus. Getting around Zambales becomes so much easier with Victory Liner — and it saves you a lot of time and energy, too! 

How to travel within Zambales with Victory Liner

To support essential workers and employees in Zambales, Victory Liner has brought back their Olongapo – Iba – Sta. Cruz bus routes to help passengers commute to work faster. Thanks to these services back on the road, you can now ride the bus for essential travel around Zambales without any hassle at all! 

In Zambales, Victory Liner currently has up-and-running terminals in Olongapo City, Iba, and Sta. Cruz. Listed below are the available bus routes, along with the time slots for the earliest and final bus trips you can take:  

Olongapo City – Sta. Cruz

• The first trip is at 5am 

• The last trip is at 9pm 

 Sta. Cruz – Olongapo City

• The first trip is at 5am 

• The last trip is at 9pm 

Note: These Victory Liner bus routes are available only within Zambales. At the time of writing, there are no Victory Liner buses running from Manila to Zambales or Zambales to Manila. 

A Victory Liner bus passing through Olongapo City, Zambales | Image credit: Ramon FVelasquez

Aside from these terminals in Zambales, Victory Liner also has terminals in nearby Luzon destinations, such as Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Bataan. 

In fact, Victory Liner’s Olongapo – Balanga, Bataan route is also available for workers to use right now! Need to reach Bataan from Zambales? The first trip for this route begins at 8am, while the last trip is at 5pm. 

Once more provincial buses in Luzon start plying their routes in the future, Victory Liner will be able to accommodate more essential workers and office employees whose livelihoods were affected by the lockdown in Central Luzon.

While other destinations in Luzon are not accessible by bus right now, we look forward to these Victory Liner bus routes opening again soon!

How Victory Liner is ensuring the safety of essential workers

Now, you might be wondering: How will bus rides work in the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic? Is it safe to travel around Zambales by bus? 

Rest assured that Victory Liner hears your valid concerns! To prioritise the health and safety of every passenger, the bus company has implemented a new seating arrangement with only 50% maximum capacity and strict physical distancing guidelines in place. For more information, check out these rules below: 

Health checks and safety measures in Victory Liner buses and terminals

• Security guards will use thermal scanners to check the temperatures of passengers and disinfect the hands of passengers before boarding. 

• Anyone with a temperature of over 37.5°C will not be allowed to board.

• Only passengers between the ages of 21 and 59 are permitted to board. 

• Senior citizens who are using the bus to go to work must show a Certificate of Employment. 

A Victory Liner bus and terminal in Olongapo City, Zambales | Image credit: Ramon FVelasquez

Important reminders for passengers of Victory Liner

• Wear a face mask in the terminal and for the entire duration of the bus journey.  

• Bring a valid ID.  

• Bring a Certificate of Employment or a company ID, if you are an employee commuting to work. 

• Bring a health certificate. 

• Fill up the passenger locator form, which will be collected by the conductor upon boarding. 

• Sit at your designated seat on the bus. 

• Maintain a one-metre distance between other passengers at all times.

Disinfection of Victory Liner buses

Thankfully, Victory Liner has taken extra precautionary measures and enhanced the cleaning protocols within their buses and terminals. Don’t just take our word for it, though! Let this detailed video demonstration by Victory Liner put your worries to rest: 

You can see in the video how the Victory Liner employees vigorously wipe down the seats, handrails, and overhead cabins. Every corner of the bus is disinfected to prevent the spread of microbes and keep the journey safe for all passengers! 

Leading the new normal for bus travel in Zambales

By putting safety first, Victory Liner offers a secure, cost-efficient, and very comfortable mode of transportation for essential workers to navigate Zambales with ease. Although it’s too soon to tell when the other routes in Luzon will come back, it’s comforting to know that the future Victory Liner buses will be kept clean and sanitary as well.

Not only is Victory Liner providing a safe commuting option for Filipinos in this time of need, but it also gets you where you need to be without compromising your safety.

Whether you’re travelling within Zambales for your livelihood or delivering essential goods to your loved ones, you can avail of these bus services without any cause for concern, knowing that Victory Liner has your best interests at heart. Once you book your journey, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride! 

For more information, visit Victory Liner’s official website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Brought to you by Victory Liner. Featured image credit: Judgefloro | Wikimedia Commons