The scene where travelers need to wake up early and wait in long queues at ticket booths to obtain bus tickets for various provincial destinations especially during holidays and summer is now a thing of the past. PinoyTravel, the country’s first online and mobile bus booking system, makes possible the convenience of obtaining bus tickets for more provincial destinations through online booking.
Bus commuters bound for Bicol and El Nido, Palawan this summer will find it convenient to secure tickets now that PinoyTravel has forged a partnership with bus companies DLTBCo. and Cherry Bus for an online booking of bus seats from Manila to Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon, as well as the route between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, Palawan.
“People think experiencing El Nido is an expensive fare but not many are aware that they can visit this prime destination by flying to Puerto Princesa on budget airlines then take the bus to El Nido, which is now available with PinoyTravel,” explained Au Soriano, CEO of PinoyTravel. “Additionally, those who want to spend their summer days in the beaches of Camarines Sur or seeing the majestic Mount Mayon can now do so with the help of PinoyTravel.”
By logging on to www.pinoytravel.com.ph or using the PinoyTravel Android app, commuters can conveniently book bus seat online similar with airline tickets, thus ensuring a smooth and hassle-free trip for everyone.
Here’s how to use PinoyTravel:
First, a commuter must search for his desired trip schedule to destinations it serves.
Second, he must book his seats by providing his email address and mobile number and wait for the confirmation code via text message.
Third, upon receiving the confirmation code, he needs to go to the ‘My Reservation page’ found on PinoyTravel’s Web site and type the confirmation code along with his email address to proceed with the payment.
Fourth, he can pay for his tickets through any of the following payment modes: online banking, over the counter, credit card and thru non-bank institutions like PayPal and DragonPay.
This innovative system was borne out of Soriano’s observation that despite technological advancements in a number of industries, the country’s provincial bus travel system has remained the same over the years. This is the reason why PinoyTravel came about with an aim of revolutionizing the provincial bus booking system with the help of technology.
PinoyTravel became part of the pioneering batch of start-up incubatees of IdeaSpace, the largest privately-backed technology incubator in the country, with wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. as one of its backers. It was commercially launched in October 2013.
Initially, PinoyTravel provides convenient bus booking services to destinations which include Baguio through Victory Liner and Genesis Transport; Tuguegarao through Victory Liner; Baler, Aurora through Genesis Transport; and Manaoag and Dagupan in Pangasinan through Five Star Bus. Soriano relayed that they are presently serving 31 destinations and more to come. By next week or two, they will serve commuters going to Vigan and Ilocos.
PinoyTravel has also forged partnerships with a number of local travel agencies and ticket resellers, starting with Aports Travel operated by Ferdinand Legaspi, and with online hotel booking site Agoda.com to offer convenient and best-value trips to both foreign and local travelers in the Philippines.
“We’re planning to add several more routes in the future by partnering with other bus lines. This way, Filipinos can easily and conveniently enjoy the many natural wonders our country has to offer,” Soriano said. “We’re also launching very soon our pick up services.”
Soriano also said that aside from Android, PinoyTravel will also introduce soon an iOS-based app where commuters can download for free.
She also claims that PinoyTravel can book an average of 2.5 tickets per transaction. Cancellation of bookings is discouraged but they do entertain rebooking.
Regarding their earnings, Soriano said they charge a convenience fee of P35 per ticket plus payment gateway charges.
