There is certainly a difference between deluxe and the cheaper first class buses of Partas lines. Perhaps its’ due to the time of day, but first class is a step above chaos, a small step. Its not the bus itself but the operations and atmosphere.
The deluxe was P805 for a 7 hour trip from Manila to Vigan. Nice seats, kickin’ aircon, western movies, frequent stops for dropping off people and rest stops.
First class is P200 cheaper. However, there is one HUGE flaw and that is they let these damn vendors on the bus at rest stops and seemingly random spots on the road. At the rest stops, u can’t even get off for a snack or smoke before these annoying people start blocking the narrow isle hawking everything from peanuts to grapes to newspapers to something looking like a taco bell burrito that had been run over in the dirt (but was actually coconut based).
The ones that get on randomly, they don’t seem to pay for traveling a few blocks or a few towns while standing in the isles leaning their butts on seated people. We all know what I think about pushy vendors.
Some minor things would include the constant stopping all over the place for new people like it was a city bus line while lacking all but two comfort stops for a trip that’s now already into its 7th hour and only halfway there, mediocre aircon, no movies, and leaky ceiling.
To be fair, I should point out that the deluxe trip was late at night with no traffic. This one is middle of the day with traffic all over the country side.
(UPDATE: the trip was 10 and a half hours total)
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
I have yet to use the buses there man…… most just look like total shit to me but my fiance uses them all the damn time. Even on the 24 hour bus trips to the province!
Jul 23, 2008 at 6:55 AM