The latest partnership between PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of PLDT, and one of the Philippines' largest provincial bus operators, Victory Liner, Inc., sets a new standard for long-haul bus travel in the country in time for the coming Holy Week and summer vacations.

Smart Bro Enterprise Postpaid enables Victory Liner with Wi-Fi connectivity to over 700 buses nationwide. This strategic move will enhance the travel experience of its over 40,000 daily passengers, which will be beneficial to those taking long haul trips aboard Victory Liner.

"We aim to revolutionize the travel experience for Filipinos and help commuters make the most out of their time while on the road," says Mitch Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart. "By bringing seamless and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity to Victory Liner’s wide fleet of buses, passengers can now maximize their time during long commutes, making each trip more productive, comfortable, and enjoyable."

The partnership further stresses the commitment of Victory Liner to digitalization, as evidenced by its integration of Maya, a digital financial services platform, that enables passengers to enjoy safe and convenient cashless transactions and hassle-free online bookings.

Aside from those, PLDT and Smart are setting up kiosks located in Victory Liner First Class Lounge where passengers will be offered dedicated assistance for new PLDT and Smart applications, SIM registration, and other telecom services, ensuring that they are digitally connected throughout their journey.

“We are with Victory Liner in this journey to provide our Filipino commuters with world-class traveling experiences by integrating the solutions of PLDT Enterprise and Maya,” says Ding Villarino, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise. “This strategic alliance represents our shared vision to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of Filipino commuters by building a stronger, more connected nation.”

With the pandemic keeping people at home for over a year, Filipinos are eager to explore their favorite destinations once again. Dubbed "revenge travel," many are eager to make up for lost time and embark on memorable road trips with loved ones.

And as the demand for domestic travel continues to rise, PLDT Enterprise and Victory Liner are determined to make every journey an enjoyable one.

“We foresee a significant surge in revenge travel as people are eager to explore and reconnect after being confined for so long due to the pandemic. As summer approaches and with Holy Week just around the corner, Filipinos are eager to explore their favorite destinations once again. This creates an opportunity for us to enhance our services and cater to the evolving demands of Filipino commuters,” shares Marivic Del Pilar, President and General Manager at Victory Liner, Inc. “Our initiative certainly comes at a perfect time when our passengers need a more reliable and enjoyable travel experience than ever before."

Del Pilar adds, "The partnership that we forged with these industry leaders helps us add value to the services that we offer, from offering seamless ticket booking and payment processes to providing Wi-Fi connectivity on board our vehicles. We look forward to breaking new ground together and exploring further opportunities for growth and innovation together in the years to come."

Public transportation continues to play a crucial role in driving economic and social growth in the Philippines. The adoption of advancedconnectivity solutions in the public transportation sector emphasizes the growing recognition of the need for digital transformation and modernization of transport systems in the Philippines.

The government, through various transport agencies, has introduced digitalization programs to ensure that commuting is safe and convenient for everyone. The partnership between PLDT Enterprise and Victory Liner is an essential step towards achieving this goal, as it highlights the importance of leveraging technology to cater to the evolving needs of the market.