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| A Bata-Libertad Jeepney driving passed Negros Showroom on Lacson St. |
There was an unfortunate incident which happened to some of the Korean students at the USLS where the jeepney driver demanded 100 pesos from the students who traveled from USLS to Lacson St on the Shopping-LaSalle jeepney (normally it would cost only 6 pesos each at the time). If you are a foreigner, do not get on an empty jeep and pay immediately by saying "bayad" (pronounced buh-YAD)
Taking a jeepney in Bacolod is one of the easiest things you'll do while in this great city. Not only do the jeeps go almost everywhere in the city, but the drivers are extremely helpful and will get you where you need to go. For foreigners, jeepneys are best thought of as the same as a bus. The Negros jeepney is an AUV based on old Ford Fiestas and built locally.
Taking a jeepney in Bacolod is one of the easiest things you'll do while in this great city. Not only do the jeeps go almost everywhere in the city, but the drivers are extremely helpful and will get you where you need to go. For foreigners, jeepneys are best thought of as the same as a bus. The Negros jeepney is an AUV based on old Ford Fiestas and built locally.
If you've ever ridden a jeepney in Manila, you probably used the words "kuya", "po", and "para" when speaking to the driver and "dong" in Cebu. However, this isn't how things are done in Bacolod City.
Even though most Filipinos speak at least a little bit of the major languages of the Philippines, not all do. It is unsafe to assume the driver will know exactly what you mean, and with all the traffic noise, the driver can't listen carefully for every word.
As well, it is always best to immense yourself into the culture as much as possible and not show yourself as an outsider.This is especially true for the Philippines. Being an outsider can have bad repercussions. No matter what your skin color is: white, black, brown or tan, being able to speak at least a little bit of Hiligaynon has its benefits. It shows that you have been in the city long enough for people know that you can't be taken advantage of easily. Being taken advantage of includes pick-pocketed, paying higher prices than Bacolodnons (although this will always happen if you don't look like a Bacolodnon), and falling for "coin traps" (where someone drops money on the ground, you pick it up, and the person next to you pick-pockets you).
Paying Fare
To ride a jeepney like a Bacolodnon, say "bayad" (pronounced buh-YAD) meaning "fare" or "bayad palihog" meaning "fare, please" or "palihog bayad" and hand it to the person in front of you. If you are in the front, say "bayad, nong" meaning "fare, older brother" if the driver is older than you or "bayad, migo" meaning "fare, friend" if the driver is about the same age or younger. "Bayad" is actually Tagalog, but it is the common word used in Bacolod when riding a jeep. You can also say "plete", which is the actual Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) word to use.
Fare is currently 7.50 for normal riders, 6.50 for students or senior citizens. If you are a student or senior citizen, you must say "estudiante" or "senior" when the fare gets to the driver. Some jeepneys accept 7 pesos instead of 7.50 or 6 pesos instead of 6.50. However, it depends on the driver. Others will require 8 instead of 7.5. As well, the longer the ride, the more it costs. Going from Central Market to Sum-Ag will cost 10 pesos, for example.
UPDATE: Since the fuel price has lowered, the price is now 6.50 pesos for regular riders and 5.00 for seniors, students, and PWDs.
Getting Off
To get off the jeepney at your location, say "lugar lang" or "lugar lang, nong". This means "just this place" or "just this place, older brother".
Asking If The Jeep Goes to Your Location
To find out if the jeepney is going to where you want, before getting on, say "SM?" and the driver will either nod to say yes or look another way or drive off. If the driver looks another way or drives off, that's obviously a "no". Find another jeep and ask again.
Almost every jeepney goes to the Central Market (or at least, close to it). Even if the jeep says "Libertad" on the side, it will still go passed Central Market. Most jeeps also go by SM; however, to go to SM, you should ask first, since even though they can go by there, if no one says they are going to SM, he will drive another route, passed Plaza Mart instead.
Jeepney Routes
Jeeps always end the route around the Central Market or close to it on Burgos St. Whether that is next to the market, near Gaisano Main, or near Lopues Araneta depends on the route. If you want to go to the market and are coming from the north side of town, it is best to get off at Plaza Mart or the Plaza and simply walk the rest of the way.
Jeeps are referred to by their Barangay name. For example, the Bata-Libertad jeep is always called "Bata". Most jeeps, for obvious reasons, are going to residential areas. So if you are just visiting, you won't need to worry about them.
Bata-Libertad - Goes to the North Bus Terminal, Barangay Bata, the Capital Lagoon, Bacolod City Plaza, SM or Plaza Mart, then Libertad, and finally Central Market.
Mandalagan-Libertad - Goes to the North Bus Terminal, down Lacson St. and finally turning to go straight passed the Plaza to SM or turning passed Plaza Mart. Then the jeep goes straight to Libertad. This jeep will drive through Libertad. If you want to take a bus to the south (a regular bus, not Ceres), then you should take this jeep or Shopping-LaSalle. As well, take this jeep if you wish to buy fruits or vegetables in Libertad.
Banago-Libertad - Goes from Barangay Bata to Libertad. Always passes by SM. Does not pass by Central Market (the building) but instead goes passed Lopues Araneta.
Airport-Central Market - From Airport subdivision to SM. Travels in front of Lopues Araneta, Lopues San Sebastian, and Gaisano City.
Alijis-Central Market - Travels near to Panaad Stadium. The jeepney can be taken on Araneta street near Lopues Araneta or Centrum.
Sum-Ag-Central Market - Get a jeepney anywhere along Araneta street or SM.
Pta. Taytay-Central Market - Get a jeepney anywhere along Araneta street or SM.
Homesite-Central Market - Goes to the New Government Center to SM. You can take the jeepney across the street from Gaisano Main. Travels past Lopues East.
Sta. Fe-Central Market - The drivers are suppose to go to SM, but rarely do. Instead, get the jeep easily at Terra Plaza (the big yellow building East of the Cathedral/LCC).
Villamonte-Central Market
Donya Juliana-Central Market
Eroreco-Central Market - Get it near CDR-King downtown.
Tangub-Central Market - Goes through the barangay and to SM.
Mansilingan-Central Market - Get a jeepney along Araneta. This jeep is more rare to find.
Taculing-Central Market - Get it near Gaisano Main.
Fortune Town-Central Market - Get it near Gaisano Main.
Shopping-Libertad (University of Saint La Salle) - Take this jeep when you want to go to the Ceres Terminal, Libertad, or USLS. This jeep will go right past the South Ceres Terminal and you can easily find the regular buses that go to the south along this route as well. If you are going to USLS and it's not normal school hours, be sure to tell the driver otherwise you'll have to get off at the Jollibees and walk the rest of the way.
San Dionisio-Burgos - Crowded and difficult to find. San Dionisio is near central Granada.
Alangilan-Burgos
Abkasa-Burgos - Crowded and difficult to find.
Granada-Burgos - Extremely crowded jeep, but leaves usually within 10 minutes at the Burgos terminal.
Shopping-Burgos (via New Northbound Terminal) - Get it at STI-West Negros, Robinsons, or at the Ceres terminal.
Bangga Pepsi-New Government Center - Goes directly from Pepsi to the New Government Center, mostly outside the city. It does go in front of Lopues East, however.
Shopping-Libertad (Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod) - Take this jeep when wanting to go to Libertad, CSA or the South Ceres Terminal.
To take a jeepney or bus to the south, ride Mandalagan or a Shopping-Libertad to Libertad and get off at the Mang Inasal. You'll see all the jeepneys and smaller buses going to the south from there. If you want to take a Ceres liner to the south, take Shopping to the South Ceres Terminal.
To take a bus or jeepney to Northern Negros Occidental (or just called "north" to many Bacolodnons), take Bata, Shopping-Burgos, Mandalagan, or Pepsi-New Government Center to the North Ceres Terminal. If you do not wish to take a Ceres liner, get off at Ceres or right before it and cross the road. Be careful! There's usually a lot of traffic.
Villamonte-Central Market
Donya Juliana-Central Market
Eroreco-Central Market - Get it near CDR-King downtown.
Tangub-Central Market - Goes through the barangay and to SM.
Mansilingan-Central Market - Get a jeepney along Araneta. This jeep is more rare to find.
Taculing-Central Market - Get it near Gaisano Main.
Fortune Town-Central Market - Get it near Gaisano Main.
Shopping-Libertad (University of Saint La Salle) - Take this jeep when you want to go to the Ceres Terminal, Libertad, or USLS. This jeep will go right past the South Ceres Terminal and you can easily find the regular buses that go to the south along this route as well. If you are going to USLS and it's not normal school hours, be sure to tell the driver otherwise you'll have to get off at the Jollibees and walk the rest of the way.
San Dionisio-Burgos - Crowded and difficult to find. San Dionisio is near central Granada.
Alangilan-Burgos
Abkasa-Burgos - Crowded and difficult to find.
Granada-Burgos - Extremely crowded jeep, but leaves usually within 10 minutes at the Burgos terminal.
Shopping-Burgos (via New Northbound Terminal) - Get it at STI-West Negros, Robinsons, or at the Ceres terminal.
Bangga Pepsi-New Government Center - Goes directly from Pepsi to the New Government Center, mostly outside the city. It does go in front of Lopues East, however.
Shopping-Libertad (Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod) - Take this jeep when wanting to go to Libertad, CSA or the South Ceres Terminal.
To take a jeepney or bus to the south, ride Mandalagan or a Shopping-Libertad to Libertad and get off at the Mang Inasal. You'll see all the jeepneys and smaller buses going to the south from there. If you want to take a Ceres liner to the south, take Shopping to the South Ceres Terminal.
To take a bus or jeepney to Northern Negros Occidental (or just called "north" to many Bacolodnons), take Bata, Shopping-Burgos, Mandalagan, or Pepsi-New Government Center to the North Ceres Terminal. If you do not wish to take a Ceres liner, get off at Ceres or right before it and cross the road. Be careful! There's usually a lot of traffic.
