Travel Via Bus From Manila to Tacloban + Pasay Tacloban Bus Terminal

This is my story on how I traveled via bus from Pasay to Tacloban last Dec 23, 2014.  My flight was cancelled that day so I had to take my chances with the bus.

Below are the steps on how I did it.  This was my first time to ride a bus to Tacloban and we had to ask our way.

1.  The bus station is located a few blocks away from MRT Taft Station.  It is at the right side of the road going north.

2.  Inside the bus station, there are several bus lines. All buses were fully booked, but I was able to ride on a bus that caters "jump seat".  These are small mono block seats that they place on the isle of the bus.  There are buses that does not allow this type of seat.  But some of these bus lines allow this.  The cost of my trip was P 1,500.00.

This bus does not look conditioned, but I took it anyway.  I heard from the passengers that this bus was "colorum".

3.  We waited inside the bus to start between 12 noon to 2 pm.  Finally it started.

4.  After an hour, one of the wheels needed to be changed.  I checked the area, we were still somewhere in Muntinlupa. We waited for about an hour for them to change the wheels of the bus.  I was already thinking of backing out with this situation.

4.  At about 4 pm, we continued our way.

5.  At 7:30 pm, we arrived at Lucena.  We ate our diner in a canteen nearby.  After more than 30 minutes, we were again on our way.  

6.  A few hours after, the air conditioner jammed.  So the bus had to stop and they tried to fix it.  The passengers pleaded the driver to move along, and not to worry about it.

7.  At 9 am Dec 24, we arrived at Camarines Sur.  We had a late breakfast.  They were also able to fix the aircon.

8.  At 11:30 am, we arrived at Matnog.  This was where we had to cross the sea via ro-ro.  There was a really long queue of buses, trucks, and private cars.  Everyone wanted to go home.

In Matnog, I was not oriented on how to go about before going inside the boat.  I was glad that some of the passengers know how it is done. So here are the following notes that you should know:

a.  You need to go outside the bus and buy a terminal fee worth P30.00 in their office.  Leave your things           inside the bus and just bring what is important, like food, toothbrush, soap, and your bus ticket.

      You can also buy food outside.  There are many canteens and stores in the area.

b.  You have to enter inside the terminal since this is where you will be waiting for your bus to be called.

      But if you are already inside, you could no longer go out until the name of your bus is announced.

      So, before you go inside be sure to check that you brought along everything that you need and leave the           things that you don't need inside the bus.   

     The guard had to explain to the passengers that it is prohibited to go outside.  But the people inside                did not know that that was the rule. And by the time they knew it, it was already too late for them.

c.   When your bus is announced, show your terminal ticket to the guard as you go outside.

d.   On the way to the boat, exchange your bus ticket with boat ticket.  An assigned person outside the boat        will do this.

e.   Fall in line as you go inside the boat.  When you go up the boat, you need to write your name on a sheet of paper provided.

9.  We waited in Matnog for hours! We were able to board the boat at around 5:30 pm, and the boat started at 7 pm already. 

10.  The wind was a bit strong when the boat started, and the waves were high.  It rocked our boat. Maybe this was the reason why, before the boat started, there were food vendors inside.  Some were selling Bonamin (something to drink so you don't get sea sick).   One passenger vomited.  But thank God after less than 2 hours, we arrived across safely in Allen Northern Samar. We got off the boat and looked for our bus.

11.  At 9 pm, the bus started again.

12.  Our bus stopped over Calbayog at around 11:15 pm.  

13. The bus left again at 11:30 pm.

14. Finally we arrived Tacloban at 3:30 am December 25!  Thank God I'm home!

So in total for this trip, from Pasay to Tacloban, it took us 1 day and 8 hrs or  32 hours 

(Dec. 23,2014, 2 pm to Dec 25, 2014, 3:30 am)

This was an exceptional time of the year due to Christmas rush.  Everyone wants to go home.  I think on normal days, it takes only 24 hours to travel.

By the way, some other expected costs for this travel is for your food. In some stop overs, the food is a bit expensive (P100+ per meal).  So, if you are on a budget mode, I would suggest that you bring your own food.  

I hope this will help you in your travel from Manila to Tacloban via bus.

Thank God we are all safe home. God is truly good.