08/09/2026
NARANASAN MO BANG SUMAKAY DITO?
Benguet Auto Line: A Pioneer of Motorized Transportation in the Cordillera
The Benguet Auto Line (BAL) holds an important place in the transportation history of the Cordillera. Established as a motorized transport service in 1908, BAL is considered one of the earliest and possibly the first organized motorized passenger transportation services to operate in the region.
BAL developed from an earlier stagecoach service that connected the lowlands to Baguio. Its early motorized operations primarily served passengers traveling between the railway connections in the lowlands and Baguio City, passing through Camp One and the Benguet Road, now known as Kennon Road. The service allowed passengers arriving by train from Manila and other areas to transfer to BAL vehicles for the difficult journey up the mountains to Baguio.
As the road network developed, BAL expanded its operations and became one of the region's major transportation services. Historical accounts show that it operated regular routes to Baguio through both Naguilian Road and Kennon Road, while connecting with Manila Railroad terminals and railway stations in the lowlands.
Before modern highways and the widespread use of private vehicles, traveling through the mountainous terrain of the Cordillera was difficult and time-consuming. BAL helped transform mobility by providing organized transportation and strengthening the connection between Baguio, Benguet, and the surrounding lowland provinces.
Its contribution also came decades before the establishment of other well-known transportation companies, including Dangwa Tranco, which was founded in 1928. As one of the region's pioneering transport services, BAL played an important role in making travel more accessible and supporting the movement of people, goods, and services.
Today, the story of the Benguet Auto Line remains an important part of Cordilleran history, a reminder of how early transportation pioneers helped connect the mountains with the lowlands and contributed to the growth and development of Baguio and the wider Cordillera.
