How this platform for and by commuters strives to make travel easier in PH

MANILA, Philippines – The holidays are just around the corner, and for many Filipinos, this means heading home to reunite with family, catching up with old friends, or taking that much-needed solo escape. But while we crave the thrill of the journey, nothing kills the mood faster than ticket-hunting stress, long queues, or sketchy online bookings – making planning more exhausting than the trip itself. 

Unsecured online pages, inconsistent schedules, and scarce platforms for advance ticketing turn even a short trip into an ordeal, especially for those traveling between cities or provinces. Mirra Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Biyaheroes, knows the commuter struggle firsthand. 

“I’m also a commuter, so Biyaheroes is a development made by commuters for commuters,” she said. 

Created in 2015, the platform helps users book bus, ferry, and boat trips online, serving routes across major destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

Trip with Biyaheroes

Traveling across the Philippines often feels like stitching together a patchwork of islands with sheer will power. That dream trip to Bicol or a quiet escape to Coron can easily turn into a logistical maze — jumping between multiple booking sites, or attempting a walk-in commute that often leaves you wandering terminal floors, unsure where you’re supposed to board.

This is the problem Biyaheroes solves by acting as a one-stop hub for domestic transport. Instead of juggling schedules and scanning scattered timetables, travelers simply enter their origin, destination, and date in the website. The platform gathers routes from its network of land and sea partners — from major bus liners to fast ferries — and lays out a clear, seamless connection. The experience feels less like a booking chore and more like being gently guided through a journey.

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Once you find a schedule that fits your day, the site hands control back to you. You can choose your own seat, and the ease carries through to payment as well. Credit cards work, but the platform also recognizes that many travel plans happen between errands or late at night. So it offers familiar options, from paying at a 7-Eleven to settling the fare through your usual banking app.

Beyond the booking flow, there’s a quiet safety net. Biyaheroes has been smoothing out island-to-island trips for over a decade, and that experience shows. 

As Reyes explained, their support team functions almost like a personal travel coordinator.

“We handle the cancellations and rebookings of our passengers, and our dedicated customer support team is here to answer any concerns. We are in direct coordination with our transport partners, and should any unforeseen changes occur with our passengers’ trips, we inform them immediately and present them with their possible options,” Reyes said.

Adapting to modern times 

For many Filipino commuters, booking a trip can make them feel as if they’re stuck in the past. Some bus companies only sell tickets in person while others offer online booking but remove access to senior, PWD, or student discounts. Many platforms are also so complicated that anyone not tech-savvy struggle to navigate the process. 

COMMUTER EXPERIENCE. Here’s a look into Biyaheroes’ website. Screenshot from Biyaheroes’ website

“Movie seats and restaurant reservations could already be booked online. We couldn’t understand why something as vital as public transportation didn’t have a platform to make things easier for everyone,” said Reyes.

Biyaheroes lets commuters check schedules and choose their seats, which are guaranteed even on ferry routes or operators that follow free seating. It also allows commuters to apply student, senior, and PWDs discounts during booking, verified through an ID check when they board.

Ease of domestic travel 

Philippine tourism peaked in 2018, with over 7 million international arrivals. Though the pandemic brought the industry to a near standstill — dropping to just around 1.5 million visitors in 2020 — this year has shown signs of recovery, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) recording 2.9 million international arrivals in the first half of 2025.

Tourism plays an important role in the Philippine economy. In 2024, it accounted for about 8.9% of GDP. A Klook survey also found that 98.5% of Filipinos plan to travel within the country in 2025. But with the cost of living rising, discussions are ongoing this year about fare hikes. 

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While there are ongoing and future initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and boosting the tourism economy, there is still much to improve in the country’s transportation system. Online booking platforms that aim to assist commuters represent a step toward making the Philippines accessible for its own people, giving more Filipinos the chance to explore their own country. – Rappler.com