![]() Reyes, who in 1928 founded the Manila Motor Works, the same company that eventually became responsible for assembling the double-decker buses for MMTC. The Metro Manila Transit Corporation (MMTC), “started with a fleet of regular buses, but eventually developed the air-conditioned Love Bus and then the double-decker buses,” explained Ned Reyes in an exchange with SPOT.ph. The “Love Bus” line itself was an idea by his wife, Imelda Marcos, and was the first air-conditioned service around-a real luxury back then.Ĭontrary to popular belief, these double-decker buses were technically not part of the “Love Bus” line. You might remember the good old “Love Bus” line: It was publicly owned by the Metro Manila Transit Corporation, a body created in 1974 through an executive order by then-President Ferdinand Marcos. ![]() Then, in the early '80s, the first legitimate double-decker buses were brought to Metro Manila. PHOTO Used with Permission from Ned Reyes Most of these buses weren’t originally built as double-deckers either, and the open-air second level was usually made through modifications. By that time, pollution and congestion probably made a leisurely sightseeing trip on Roxas Boulevard a bit difficult. You could spot the Matorco buses carrying folks across the scenic Roxas Boulevard up until as late as 1994. Plus, you can just imagine the sea views before part of the area was turned into reclaimed land under the Marcos regime.īy the mid-'70s, the fare was set at just 20 centavos, according to Gopal. Tourists could get off around six designated spots along the way, said Gopal, including, of course, Aristocrat Restaurant (the old resto, and their cult-classic barbecued chicken, has been around since 1936). The route of the Matorco buses ran from the 13th and Chicago Street in the Port Area of Manila, near the Anda Circle, all the way along Roxas Boulevard-then known as Dewey Boulevard-up to the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran and vice versa. Along the way, guests will learn about Chicago’s history as a hotbed for criminals like John Dillinger, Al Capone, and more.PHOTO Used with Permission from Manila Nostalgia Takes visitors on guided outings to a number of famous crime scenes. With their distinctive fleet of open-top, double-decker buses, Big Bus Chicago offers hop-on, hop-off tours that let you choose where and when you stop at a given attraction. Popular Gray Line Chicago tours include the Chicago Grand City tour, the Chicago North Side tour, and the Historic Chicago South Shore tour. Offers 5 different tour options in Chicago. Tour companies that visitors tend to choose from. Which Chicago tour might be right for you, here’s a list of the top Chicago The tours can include food and drink or only transportation. Depending upon the tour company you choose, Others are aimed at adult audiences only, featuringĪlcohol-themed tours that explore Chicago’s preeminent craft beer scene,Ĭocktails, historic pubs, and more. Some are family-friendly, offeringĬulinary explorations around cuisines like pizza, hotdogs, Italian, and ethnicįood of various types. Where Al Capone made his money and his fame.Īre also organized around food and drink. The city that are or have been associated with the mob in Chicago, the city Other themes are more culturally-oriented, See Chicagoans out to playĪnd the Magnificent Mile vibrant with color and lights – it’s a real experience Showcasing Chicago in all of her illuminated glory. A few companies offer this option, so it’s a popular type of tourįew bus tours with specific themes. On these tours, you can still enjoy aįully-narrated drive while also having the benefit of being able to disembarkĪt any of their predetermined stops to explore a top landmark, neighborhood, orĪttraction. ![]() ![]() South Shore, or both on a comprehensive tour. You can opt to explore only the North Side, the These tours provide expert narration and showcase Whatever style of bus tour you’re looking for, it’s likely that Chicago has an option or two for you. They also come in at multiple different price points, too, so you could choose a very budget-friendly option to see the top sights only, or make a bit of an investment to see the whole city on a multi-hour tour. Fortunately for visitors to Chicago, bus tours abound in a wide variety of styles. With Chicago’s expansive landscape and top attractions spread across multiple neighborhoods, there’s a real need for some assistance in your explorations. One of the most traditional ways to explore any new city is by taking a bus tour.
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