LONG overnight bus trips between Metro Manila and the Bicol Region are getting a new option, following the rollout of the country’s first sleeper buses by Cagsawa Travel and Tours Inc.
Cagsawa Travel and Tours Inc.’s new Thaco Mobihome sleeper buses introduce a modern exterior design, which will look unique along the Manila-Bicol route.
The operator has taken delivery of two Thaco Mobihome sleeper buses from BJ Mercantile Inc., marking the debut of sleeper-style provincial travel on one of the country’s busiest long-distance routes.
The new units are expected to be deployed for the Cagsawa Travel’s Manila-Bicol services, offering passengers an alternative to conventional reclining-seat coaches. Instead of standard rows of seats, the buses are configured with individual sleeper cabins designed for overnight travel, reflecting a growing demand for more comfortable long-haul land transport.
Inside, the Thaco Mobihome replaces conventional seats with 20 individual sleeper cabins, each equipped with personal lighting, entertainment screens, and USB charging, offering a more comfortable option for long overnight trips.
The sleeper buses are part of Thaco’s Mobihome lineup, designed and built by Thaco Auto in Vietnam. While sleeper buses are already common in parts of Southeast Asia, their entry into the Philippine intercity bus market has been rather slow.
Each unit is fitted with 20 individual sleeper cabins, giving passengers a dedicated space to lie down during the journey. The cabins include personal lighting, LCD entertainment screens, and USB charging ports, while the bus itself is equipped with an onboard toilet — features aimed at improving comfort on trips that can stretch well beyond 10 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
Cagsawa Travel worked closely with the supplier on the interior layout and specifications, tailoring the setup to local operating conditions and passenger expectations. The goal, according to the company, is to make overnight provincial travel less physically demanding, particularly for passengers heading south for work, family visits, or long holidays.
From the outside, the Thaco Mobihome looks distinct from traditional provincial buses, with a more modern front-end design and LED projector headlamps. But the bigger change is inside, where the focus shifts from maximizing seating capacity to improving rest and privacy — an approach that could reshape expectations for long-distance bus travel.
For Cagsawa, introducing sleeper buses is part of a broader effort to differentiate its services on a highly competitive route. Company officials say they expect the new buses to attract passengers who value rest and comfort, especially for overnight departures where arriving less fatigued can make a significant difference.
BJ Mercantile, which distributes Thaco buses locally, said the introduction of sleeper buses reflects changing preferences among provincial commuters and operators alike. While the initial rollout is limited to two units, their performance on the Manila-Bicol route could influence whether similar sleeper configurations are adopted more widely by other bus lines.
If the concept gains traction, sleeper buses could become a familiar sight on long provincial routes, offering travelers a new way to cover long distances by road, without sacrificing rest along the way.
