GV Florida Transport

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GV Florida Transport Inc.
GVFLemblem.JPG
FormerlyFlorida Liner
Founded1971;53 years ago (1971)
HeadquartersMatucay, Allacapan, Cagayan
Locale Luzon
Service area
Service typeProvincial Operation
Alliance
  • G.M.W. Florida Trans Co. (GMW Trans)
  • Transport Pro Services, Inc.
  • Gabriel Trans
  • St. Joseph Express
  • Dangwa Transport Inc.
OperatorG.V. Florida Transport, Inc. (1999–present)
Key peopleGeorge U. Florida
Virgilio U. Florida Jr. (also known as Jun Florida)

G.V. Florida Transport, Inc., (stylized GV FLORIDA) formerly Florida Liner, is a Philippine bus company based in Barangay Matucay, Allacapan, Cagayan. Established in 1970's by Virgilio Florida, Sr., the company operates buses to Northern Luzon destinations. Currently managed by Mr. Virgilio Florida, Jr.

Contents

The company also offers bus chartering services to individuals and corporations.

GV Florida Transport, the first bus company in the Philippines, introduced the Sleeper Bus, a fully reclining bus That provides passengers with a comfortable and convenient way to rest during their long-distance travel.

Etymology

The name of the bus company is derived from the incorporators of the company, the Florida brothers, George Florida and Virgilio Florida Jr.[ citation needed ]

History

A GV Florida bus, while parked on its motorpool in Sampaloc, Manila. GV Florida GD92, 2015.jpg
A GV Florida bus, while parked on its motorpool in Sampaloc, Manila.

G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, Inc., founded in 1999 by Virgilio Florida and his son George Florida and Virgilio Florida Jr., is a popular bus company in Cagayan, Ilocos and Quirino provinces. The company offers comfortable and stylish travel experiences with its distinctive flowery pink livery on its buses. Equipped with amenities like reclining seats, air conditioning, and onboard entertainment systems, it ferries goods and passengers from Metro Manila to the Cagayan Valley Region and Ilocos Region, as well as inter-provincial routes.

Early expansion and acquisitions

G.V. Florida Transport expanded its transportation industry presence by acquiring franchises from various bus companies, including F. Franco Transit, B. Trans, Autobus Transportation, Viva Alladin, Ballesteros Bus Line, and Dagupan Bus Company's Cagayan line. The expansion enhanced the service offerings and positioned G.V. Florida Transport as a key player in the sector, offering convenient and reliable travel options for passengers in Cordillera (with the acquisition of Autobus' remaining routes), Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Isabela regions.

In early 2000's, G.V. Florida Transport is the first Philippine bus company to introduce the "Sleeper Class" with Golden Dragon, Higer, and Hino RM sleeper buses servicing Manila-Cagayan and Manila-Ilocos routes. Meanwhile a sister company as well as subsidiary GMW Florida Trans Inc. (GMW TRANS.) is operated by the other siblings of George and serves Santiago-Cauayan-Tuguegarao-Laoag, Tuguegarao-Baguio via San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Bayombong, and Tuguegarao- Abra via Bantay/Vigan routes.

2011: Expansion and refleeting

In 2011, GV Florida Transport expanded its fleet by purchasing six units of MAN R39 18.350 for its Super Deluxe fleet and 20 Exclusively Modified PHI Grandeza RM for its Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleets. In 2013, they acquired the DM14 Series with Hino RM chassis for their Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleets.

In 2011, GV Florida Transport expanded its fleet by purchasing six units of MAN R39 18.350 for its Super Deluxe fleet and 20 Exclusively Modified PHI Grandeza RM for its Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleets. In 2013, they acquired the DM14 Series with Hino RM chassis for their Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleets.

2014: the "Dark Year" of GV Florida

On the early morning of February 7, 2014, GV Florida experienced one of its darkest years in its history when one of its bus (plate number TXT-872) fell into a ravine in Sitio Pagang, Barangay Talubin in Bontoc. It was carrying 45 people on board. Fourteen people were killed, including one Dutch and one Canadian national, and Filipino comedian & actor Tado Jimenez. [1] The accident occurred due to brake failure, causing the bus to lose control and veer off the road. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to provide medical assistance and transport the injured survivors to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) imposed a 30-day preventive suspension on all of the company's 186 bus units on February 10, 2014, three days after the incident. [2] The incident referred to was a fatal bus accident that resulted in multiple casualties. Later the LTFRB's decided to suspend all of the remaining company's bus units to ensure a thorough investigation and assessment of the company's safety protocols and compliance with regulations.

Recovery, further expansion and contemporary history

After the Supreme Court lifted its suspension, GV Florida returned to service. Recently, in anticipation of future demands of travelling market, GV Florida Transport continues to expand further its fleet with the acquisition of newer and modern bus units such as Higer U-Tour Series, latest batches of Hino RM2PSS platform showcasing modern bus body design such as Hino Grandecho II Series by Hino Motors Philippines Inc. and DM16 Series 1 by Del Monte Motor Works, Inc.

It also paved way in acquiring various companies starting the introduction of its newest subsidiary, Transport Pro Services Inc. (from the remnants of B. Trans and F. Franco) which serves the Ilocos Region. Also, GV Florida strengthened its presence in the inter-provincial routes specially in Cordillera Region with the absorption of St. Joseph Express, Gabriel Trans and Fred & Cathy Trans and later, Dangwa Transport along with GMW Trans to its group of companies. Unlike previous acquisitions of the company, these five companies continue to operate alongside the parent company, GV Florida as separate brands.

In addition, GV Florida Transport has also introduced Zhongtong Bus to its fleet with custom bodies made by Pura Bus, an in-house body building of GV Florida Transport.

In 2019, GV Florida quietly introduced the Hino RN8J utilizing the new Hino Grandeza II and Del Monte Motorworks' DM16 series I body, and on the 4th Quarter of 2023 and early 2024, as parts of its re-fleeting program, GV Florida Transport formally launched the "Executive Class", an upgraded Super Deluxe and Sleeper service, together with another round of expansion of its bus fleet with the introduction of Scania K series platform and the bus body is built by Del Monte Motorworks, Inc. utilizing the modified DM22T, DM23 and DM24 series bus body designs. [3]

Fare class

A GV Florida Super Deluxe unit. GV Florida GD30 SDL, 2015.jpg
A GV Florida Super Deluxe unit.

G.V. Florida has employed various types of fare classes across its fleet:

Audio and Video systems and Airconditioning are standard on all of its buses. On-board toilets were standard on majority of its fleet except the Regular Fare class. Some newer units features either on-board Power outlet or USB Charging.

Note: Regular Fare, Deluxe Fare and Dangwa Transport's buses were painted in pink while Super Deluxe and Sleeper buses were painted in light blue. GMW Trans, Transport Pro Service, St. Joseph Express and Gabriel Trans was painted in orange color with different varieties per company.

Fleet numbering

G.V. Florida Transport has its own special numberings on its fleet.

Retired Fleet numbering

Operating fleet

GV Florida Transport buses parked on their motorpool. GV Florida on motorpool.jpg
GV Florida Transport buses parked on their motorpool.

Current fleet

Note: All locally built units were utilizing the GD XML6127 Marcopolo/old generation Neoplan Tourliner side profile.

Former/Retired fleet

Terminals

GV Florida

Cagayan Valley

Ilocos Region (some routes were shared with Transport Pro)

Cordillera Administrative Region (some routes were shared with Gabriel Trans and St. Joseph Transport)

GMW Trans

Inter-Provincial Routes (vice versa)

Cagayan Valley

  • Isabela
    • Delfin Albano
    • Roxas
    • Santiago

Cordillera Administrative Region

  • Abra
    • Bangued
  • Benguet
    • Baguio

Ilocos Region

  • Ilocos Norte
    • Laoag
  • Ilocos Sur

Destinations

Metro Manila

Provincial destinations

Ilocos Region (Region 1)

Cagayan Valley Region (Region 2)

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

Central Luzon (Region 3)

Passengers may board and leave the bus at any point.

GMW Trans destinations

Former destinations

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "LTFRB suspends Florida bus after Mt. Province fatal crash". ABS-CBN News. February 8, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Florida bus line's entire fleet grounded". The Manila Times. February 9, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  3. ↑ "BUS HAS ARRIVED: GV Florida purchases 23 units of Scania, including 'sleeper buses". Daily Tribune. Marc Anthony Reyes. July 8, 2024.
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