Dominion Bus Lines


Dominion Bus Lines is a bus transportation company in the Philippines. It operates a 24/7 service for passengers and freight between Metro Manila and northwest Luzon.

History

The company was founded from its precursor, Times Transit Transportation Co., by Santiago Rondaris who inherited the earlier company from his parents Timoteo and Estelita Rondaris. Times was founded in the 1960s. The Rondarises also once operated the Shooting Star Freight Service alongside Times to answer the freight-moving needs of Ilocos Sur.
Times Transit mostly operated International Harvester Loadstar and some S-Series buses with white, green and red livery with an illuminated logo on the roof, a few buses with a green and white paint scheme, with Superior Coach bodies built under license by Manila Motor Works. It was also known for its then-unique express buses, based on an International-Harvester bus platform and with Superior Coach bodies built under license by Manila Motor Works. They later supplanted their fleet with new air-conditioned buses, including some Hino buses with the then-new "Grandtheater" configuration—making them one of four bus companies operating in the North to field them, retaining the livery of the buses they supplanted. It had terminals along its route, from Laoag City in Ilocos Norte to Manila, and to Bangued, Abra and Baguio; its terminal at the southern end of Quezon Avenue in its northern headquarters in Vigan is particularly well known for its unique style and its flashy sign, which was the first and, because of its unique design, only of its kind in the city.
A labor dispute between management and its employees union finally brought the company down in the 1990s. About a year later, MENCORP bought some of the company's assets and formed Dominion Bus Lines. As a result, its route to Baguio was terminated, while all other routes by Times Transit were maintained. Its main terminal in Vigan is already half the size of its original dimensions, as part of the terminal is now leased to business establishments like a gasoline station and a private school; and, starting May 20, 2013, to Viron Transit. Viron also currently occupies Times' former garage located behind Mira Hills in Vigan, a few steps away from the sub-office of a power utility cooperative.
Times' terminal, refueling stop, employees dormitory, and mini-garage in Bantay, Ilocos Sur, which is along the National Highway, formerly housed one of the most modern garages in the province. It now ceased operations, and is currently occupied by food establishments. The refueling stop, garage entrance, and employees' dormitory were later demolished to make way for a pizza restaurant, with part of the gasoline station's service bays still standing. The site is located across the street from where GMW Transit formerly parked its buses in Vigan City before eventually opening their own garage in Bantay.
Also in Bantay is another of Times' garages, located just beside the Quirino Stadium. It is still standing today, rather well-preserved, as it is currently occupied by a soft drink distributor.

Recent Updates

Currently, The Vigan Terminal Route is not available, together with Candon Terminal because of the recent Covid-19 Pandemic, Bus units such as the infamous High-Deck Bus of Vigan, the units of Dominion 80101/80102, some Higer V90-91 units and Daewoo SR BV115 units are in stock and looking forward for rehabilitation
The principal provincial terminals are at Bangued, and San Fernando.
With their New Terminal in Cubao in 832 Aurora Blvd, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Recently, Dominion Bus Lines acquired Higer, Yutong, Golden Dragon and Daewoo Units. They also began fielding "VIP Class" buses, with champagne-gold-colored livery with white lettering.
They have also acquired new VIP Class "Pathfinder" unit, Xiamen Golden Dragon XML6129J18 "Navigator", Known as the Second Company to ever own the Flagship Navigator in service in the Philippines, Second to Partas Transportation Co, INC. having the First.

Fleet

Dominion Bus Lines operates 120+ Buses in total. Currently, Most of their fleet consists of Golden Dragon, Yutong, and Daewoo

Golden Dragon Units

  • Golden Dragon XML6102 "Splendour"
  • Golden Dragon XML6103 "Phoenix"
  • Golden Dragon XML6122J23 "Triumph I"
  • Golden Dragon XML6103 "Snow Leopard"
  • Golden Dragon XML6129J18 "Navigator"

Daewoo Units

  • Daewoo SR BV115
  • Daewoo SR BF106

Yutong Units

  • Yutong ZK6122HD9 coach
  • Yutong ZK6105 coach

ABANDONED UNITS

There is still a chance of this Units to be Rehabilitated and could be seen back in service

Higer Units

  • Higer KLQ6109 V90
  • Higer KLQ6119 V91
  • Higer KLQ6125B

Branding(Classes)

  • Standard Airconditioned
  • Economy Class
  • VIP Class
The companies number branding are numbered with the number 80 being placed on the first
And The Pathfinder Flagships are numbered with 88 being placed on the first