Before COVID 19, Bicol Isarog Transport System brought passengers to the provinces from Metro Manila and vice versa. But now, they are not able to transport anyone anymore due to the ECQ restrictions.

As a result, costs have been piling up and they have been busy finding ways to minimize costs, with sustainability being the main challenge now.

Bicol Isarog’s workforce, such as the operating staff and the drivers, has to be kept despite the economic challenges brought by COVID 19 – they cannot be let go given that it is difficult to recruit, train, and onboard new drivers.

Capitalizing on the demand for shipments, they have pivoted their operations from providing transportation services to providing cargo services. Buses were reconfigured to transport all forms of cargo including perishable and non-perishable goods.

They have focused on more urgent deliveries, delivering shipments within a day, with the hopes of capitalizing on recurring customers.

Given the disparity in ECQ regulations across the country, the first dispatch of buses going to the provinces served as a prototype to determine the possible routes, locations, and additional services that could be added under certain regional restrictions.

They have invested heavily in innovation in ticketing, online services, and other payment options.

Bicol Isarog is utilizing these cargo services in order to maintain their friendly image of providing people a way to padala. Presence in social media helped them incorporate their current business model since they have an established repertoire/mindshare from their loyal customers.

They understand that it is difficult for many customers to bring their goods to the main hubs for transportation. Their breakthrough is to expand their reach and make it easier for more customers to transport their goods through Bicol Isarog.

There is also a fear of their model being copied by competitors, as they are the first in their industry to transition to a cargo transportation service.