Review Best Posts in Thread: Ceres Busses taking more standing passengers?

I can only pass on from what I've heard so take it as that, but the busses have put in local alarms for once they go over a certain speed and are being "tracked" via GPS as well to make sure they are not exceeding that; this was done for concern of accidents due to speed. From what I've heard the buss drivers are expected to meet some expectations on time and passengers so they are jamming them in. Not sure if a lower speed with a heavier busload of folks is better but last time I was in the Philippines I did feel more comfortable with the drivers keeping things at a slower speed.

From Tanjay to Dumaguete we rarely see an aircon bus, so I would love to be standing on an aircon bus as opposed to standing on the others.

Still a cheap way to travel on Negros but agree I am not up for ferries again and would fly if possible if going to another island.

Shawn

 

To see if I could find out the reason behind the problem I wrote to Cere on their Facebook Messenger. Here is what I wrote and with any luck, someone will respond:

EDIT: Just to add the link to the Facebook page I messaged. Looks like an official page for Ceres Bus on the route I questioned but it also looks like they have not posted there for a year so maybe not monitored.
Cebu South Bus Terminal -Vallacar Transit, Inc. - Ceres Liner

If anyone has a better way to contact them then let me know. If they do not like to answer I will ask the LTFRB the same question. Inquiring minds want to know why I have to sit with a back pack in my face so I cannot see the movie :-)

 

In general, yes! They fill up at the depot and drop off at various points along the way. Often its point to point with no pick ups or drop offs and at other times there are pick up points (usually in areas not serviced by a Ceres bus)

 

YES EXACTLY! Its the way it used to be and now its not. All the aircon busses I have been on in the last month or so between Lilo An and South Bus terminal are now crowded to the nuts with standing passengers once they get to about Argao and all the way into Cebu.

Maybe I am just unlucky on the 4 busses I was on this last month but all 4 were the same and it did not used to be that way.

 

Last few times I crossed over to Liloan, Santander and took the Ceres into Cebu the drivers/conductors have had people jammed like sardines in the aisles for most of the trip. Both ways.

Seems they leave the terminal with seated passengers only but as soon as they hit the road they jam them in. It would not bother me except that the standees are not polite in the least. The usually have their arse or backpack in someone's face and lean on the back of your seat and its very uncomfortable.

I found it so uncomfortable that I got out my phone and searched for how to complain to the LTFRB about overcrowded busses. I found the complaint form and they encourage people to complain about certain violations. Perhaps they even take action but guess what:

There is no complaint that can be made about overcrowded busses or too many standing passengers but there IS a complaint about if the bus does not pick up a passenger.

I'm guessing that people were complaining that they were not being picked up because the bus was full so now they pick up everyone who wants to jam inside. Does that sound like a good guess? Does anyone know any confidential Ceres sources to ask about that. I am sure they did not jam them in the aisles like that in the past. Used to be people only stood for up to half an hour and only when the conductor knew someone was getting off in that time.

 

Imagine the most stupid idiotic moronic dangerous stunt performed by any of the locals on a motorbike at night high on Shabu with a bottle of Tanduay Rum under their belt and multiply that by 10X!! I never need to look out to know there is a V-Hire Van coming through Malatapay, you only need to listen for the incessant Horn Honking and HIGH SPEED WOOSH as it passes by along the Highway with everyone else hoking their horns back in retaliation!

 

I have spoken to some about catching the Bus and I NEVER plan to be stuck for that long in the one seat, hence why I will fly each and every time for the convenience of a short trip and being able to rest in the Hotel room for a good LONG time before any companions would arrive via the Bus. I also HATE water and the thought of catching a Boat/Ferry puts the willys right up me! At least if the plane crashed into the ocean on its journey, with any luck it would be lights out instantaneously!

 

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