BJ Mercantile turns over THACO sleeper buses
BJ Mercantile and Cagsawa Travel and Tours executives stand beside one of the newly delivered THACO sleeper buses during the handover ceremony.
Photograph courtesy of BJ Mercantile
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BJ Mercantile and Cagsawa Travel and Tours executives stand beside one of the newly delivered THACO sleeper buses during the handover ceremony.
Photograph courtesy of BJ Mercantile
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BJ Mercantile Inc. has handed over the first THACO sleeper buses in the Philippines to Cagsawa Travel and Tours Inc., adding a new option for long-distance travel between Metro Manila and the Bicol Region.
The turnover covered two units and marked the first time sleeper buses from THACO will operate locally. Representatives from both companies attended the ceremony, which confirmed the start of the buses’ deployment under Cagsawa’s provincial routes.
The units belong to the THACO Mobihome lineup, a sleeper bus format that replaces standard seating with individual sleeping cabins.
BJ Mercantile is the official distributor of THACO commercial vehicles in the Philippines. The company said the introduction of sleeper buses responds to demand for more comfort on long trips, especially overnight journeys where rest and privacy matter to passengers.
The buses were built by THACO AUTO at its manufacturing facility in Vietnam. THACO operates one of the largest bus plants in Southeast Asia and supplies buses to several markets in the region. The Philippines now joins that list with the arrival of the Mobihome models.
The exterior design follows a clean and modern layout. The front grille carries angular detailing based on THACO’s design language and is paired with LED projector headlights. The long body profile supports the sleeper configuration inside and gives the bus a distinct presence on the road.
Each bus carries 20 sleeper cabins arranged to give passengers separation and privacy during the trip. Cagsawa Travel and Tours provided input on the interior layout to align the cabins with its service standards.
Each cabin includes an entertainment screen, a reading light, and charging ports for personal devices. Both Type A and Type C ports are available. The bus also has an onboard toilet, which limits the need for frequent stops on long routes.
Ambient lighting and UV ceiling lights are installed throughout the cabin area to maintain a calm environment during night travel.
Cagsawa Travel and Tours said the new buses support its plan to raise service quality on provincial routes. The company views the sleeper format as a practical upgrade for passengers who travel long hours by road and prefer a quieter, more private setting.
BJ Mercantile said the turnover adds to its expanding commercial vehicle lineup. The company began operations in 1974 as an importer of used engines and trucks.
The distributor said local support will be available for the THACO buses through parts supply, service facilities, and technical support. Its main showroom and service center operate along EDSA Balintawak in Quezon City, where its bus and truck offerings are displayed.
The sleeper buses are expected to enter regular service on Cagsawa’s Manila–Bicol routes. Once deployed, they will stand out among provincial buses because of their cabin layout and onboard features.
The handover places Cagsawa Travel and Tours as the first local operator to run THACO sleeper buses. This introduces a different travel format to Philippine highways and adds another option for passengers on long provincial trips.
