Transportation

Visitors and tourists may choose from several modes of transportation according to his needs and preference of comfort.

Jeepneys: Colorful expressions of Filipino ingenuity and pop art provide an exciting way of going around to and from the housing sub-divisions, major cities, malls and shopping centers. Jeepneys are the most commonly used form of transportation in Cebu and its neighboring cities and provinces. They are also available for hire for special trips. Rates vary according to distance traveled and number of hours used. The minimum fare is P3.00  for each subsequent kilometer.

The backbone of transport in the Philippines, and of course also in Cebu, is the ‘jeepney’. This vehicle is directly related to the American bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombs ended World War II so abruptly that the Americans had problems in adjusting their logistical build-up for a possible landing in Japan. This build-up took place mainly in the Philippines. The port of Manila was in this a key stone. Thousands of vehicles piled up in Manila’s port. When there was no more work for these vehicles, they were sold to Filipinos at scrap value.

The war destroyed almost all vehicles in the Philippines and in no time the many jeeps took over the role of ‘general means of transport’. Of course, the original jeeps are long gone, besides for efficient transport they were actually too small. Filipino ingenuity and inventiveness found ways to enlarge the original jeep.

Today, most jeepneys have a capacity of 18 to 20 passengers. The price per ‘ride’, a distance of approximately 3 to 4 kilometers is, in Cebu, P 3.00. This is quite cheap.

Many foreigners have learned to use jeepneys. You cannot miss them, they dominate every street. Every jeepney has a fixed route which is indicated by a number, this makes it very easy for the passenger to find out which one to take. The route is also painted on the side of the jeepney.

Jeepneys are found in the cities of Cebu Province and between the municipalities. Buses are used only for long distances, in practice distances of over 50 km. The last years have seen an influx of new buses even with aircon. An aircon busride from Cebu City to Santander in the south, approximately 135 km. For trips to other islands, the bus, in combination with the ferry, offers attractive possibilities.

Buses: There are many local and long-distance bus companies with very comprehensive networks, offering aircon and non-aircon buses. Many of them ply within and outside the city. These buses have particular terminals. Buses routed to the South are at Cebu South Terminal. Buses bound to the north have their terminal near the Mandaue Reclamation Area.

Tricycles: Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) provide a novel way of traveling short distances. It is commonly used for traveling within the city. The minimum fare is P2.50.

In the outskirts of cities, in small municipalities and in rural area, a jeepney is often too large. Transport is then carried out with so called tricycles, motorcycles with side car. One tricycle is supposed to carry no more than seven passengers, but clever drivers can load many more. The price per ride is in the same range as the jeepney. If you are in a hurry it is possible to hire the complete tricycle, this is called ‘pakyaw’. It is necessary to agree on the price first! Tricycles are usually family-owned.

Taxis: for a hassle-free long distance and within-the-city travel, one can hire and call a taxi anytime. Taxi queues are found outside hotels, airports, commercial centers and other busy areas. These vehicles have a flag-down rate of P20  for aircon and P16  for non-aircon with an additional rate of P1.00 for every succeeding 200 meters.

Cebu can boast of over a large fleet of modern, mostly aircon, taxis. Since two years ago all taxis are equipped with meters, the use of which is compulsory. No use means that, if reported, the driver might lose his franchise. Within the city limits, there are few complaints about non-meter use, quite different from Manila where taking a taxi often ends in endless arguments over meters that don’t work. However, coming from Mactan Airport, the driver might try not to use the meter and to agree on a fixed price. It is against the law, insist on meter use. Flagdown rate for non-aircon taxis is P 14; for aircon, P 20.

Taxis can also be rented for a half or a whole day. Agree on the price before departure!

At reasonable rates, cars (with or without driver) and motorbikes can be rented. For renting a car, a valid international or Filipino drivers license is necessary.

For those who stay longer than 90 days, it is necessary to apply for a Filipino driver’s license. The procedure takes only 30 minutes, but this is on the condition that either an international or an English-translated national license can be shown. If that is not the case, it can take much longer.

As far as Cebu’s traffic is concerned, do not worry, it looks a lot worse then it is in reality. Average speed is very low and that means that serious accidents are very rare. It is advisable to be careful with insurances. The rules and practices are often different from those in other countries.

There are still a few number of kalesa’s or tartanilla’s (horse drawn carriages) left. They are indeed from an other era and their use is limited to a few streets in downtown Cebu City. They are very cheap and it is an adventure in itself to try one. It is really fun!

Car rental: Car rental companies provide first-rate rental services for either chauffeur-driven cars. There are a variety types for rent and charges depend on the type of vehicle and the terms and duration of the rental. A valid foreign or international driver’s license is required for visitors who wish to drive.

Inter-island Vessels. Apart from the luxury liners plying the routes to Manila and some other destinations, there is a wide array of smaller inter-island ships to choose from. These ply the routes which are either impossible to fly, because there is no landing strip, or the destination is simply not feasible by air. In many cases the inter-island vessel is the only connection with the outside world. They vary from small coastal ship to simple LCTs (Landing Craft Tank), also a relic of World War II, but still built in large numbers.

From Cebu there are ships to, among others, Ormoc, Maasin and Tacloban in Leyte; to Davao and Zamboanga in southern Mindanao; to Cagayan de Oro, Butuan Iligan, Ozamis, etc. in northern Mindanao; to Dumaguete in Negros Occidental.

Fares are low, but so is comfort. Since 1994 special fast ferry services have been introduced between Cebu City and Ormoc (Leyte), Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Dumaguete (Negros Occidental). The ships are airconditioned, and are equipped with airline reclining seats and wall to wall carpeting. Trip prices are from P200 to P300, considerably lower than airfares on the same routes.