Isarog Lines Sleeper Bus S1

Isarog Line is under the Bicol Isarog Transport System Inc (BITSI). A little background of the company from the bus company website...

Bicol Isarog Transport System Inc. is a bus company that was established in March of 2011 by its President and General manager Mr. Geraldo C. Abano and Executive Vice-President  & Treasurer Jose Marco H. del Pilar. The idea of setting up BITSI started when Mr. Abano and Mr. del Pilar acquired Isarog Line on March 24, 2011 from the Cu family of Naga City which was represented by Steve Cu.  After this, BITSI was formally incorporated in the SEC on April 19, 2011.  While operating Isarog Line, BITSI then acquired RSL Bus Transport on April 7, 2011 from Governor Joseph Cua of Catanduanes who was signified by his daughter Elaine Cua. Then on June 27, 2011, the company was able to obtain their third and biggest acquisition, Penafrancia Tours & Travel Transportation, Inc. from brothers Bonifacio L. Cu, Jr. and Bonifacio Bryan L. Cu, also from Naga city.  Though the company is newly formed, our bus lines whose routes are from Manila and all over the Bicol province and vice versa have been in the business for over 20 years and now the strongest. To know more about BITSI visit http://www.bicolisarogtransport.com/

Check out my review of Skybus Premiere, the only bus going to Naga with a massage feature. 

CLICK HERE

I had the chance to take the sleeper bus last end of May 2013. It was Thursday night and I thought there would be enough trips going to Manila, but to my surprise every bus and bus type that I usually patronize were fully booked. After checking in other bus companies, I came back to BITSI's ticketing office and luckily there was one ticket open, but for the Sleeper Bus. Since I haven't tried this type of bus from BITSI, pikit mata nalang ako sa presyo haha. and of course because I need to travel that night and honestly I don't really like other buses. Lower deck costs Php 1,200.00 and the upper deck costs Php 1,100.00 (Naga to Manila). I don't know if it was luck that I got the lower deck or not, but I'm good with long trip bus travels without getting nauseated or because it would cost me a hundred peso higher than the upper deck's rate. I got the ticket around 6pm and went home immediately to pack and yes I was excited.

The Sleeper Bus (if i'm not mistaken) only travels Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. 

 

CLICK HERE for more photos

The isle has less space than ordinary buses but then making your bed/room / cabin (or whatever you may call it) very specious for a regular person. There were even mother and kids in one cabin, I just don't know if there's an additional charge for that. The maximum number of passengers is 20. 

Check out my review of Skybus Premiere, the only bus going to Naga with a massage feature. 

CLICK HERE

The "cabin-like" room has it's own AC vent and lights that you can switch on and off. Once you recline the upper part of the bed you can literally curl up and roll your hearts content while on the bus. You can really sleep well and wake up that you might forget you were on a bus once you arrive Manila. But still it will depend upon your sleeping habit when aboard buses, like me who rarely sleeps deep when traveling on buses. The air condition was a bit cold and there's a restroom for your own personal convenience. Bus stop is only at McDonald's Villa Escudero at San Pablo Laguna like any other buses of BITSI. 

In between cabins are plastic-made partitions, giving you enough privacy together with the curtains on the side. See the door in front? It's actually the restroom.

Windows on the side which are not like any other regular bus. This pic was taken along SLEX.

This is how the Sleeper Bus (S1 in particular) looks like from outside. The ones orange curtains (up and down) are the ones that you can peek at while inside the bus. 

Photo by Alvin Lo

Photo by Alvin Lo

So there, it was a very worthwhile experience that I may still patronize the Sleeper Bus if ever I have an extra budget and luxury of time. Other than the Sleeper Bus, I am an Isarog and Penafrancia Bus commuter ever since. 

For booking inquiries (Bicol Area)
Naga - 09175935928
Legazpi - 09175204896
Sorsogon - 09175234367
Tabaco - 09399571511
Virac - 09993579933

For booking inquiries (Manila Area) - Pls.call 727-8194, 381-0840, 0917-8894713 (EDSA); 0917-5204893 (Shopwise); 0917-5936012 (Alabang)
Add BITSI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bicol.isarog?fref=ts

Just to sum up important details:

Rates for Naga - Manila and Manila - Naga 

Up: Php 1,100.00

Down: Php 1,200.00

With Restroom

WiFi on board

Facebook: Bicol Isarog
Website: http://bicolisarog.com/

For contact details visit http://bicolisarog.com/contact-us/