GV Florida Transport

Last updated

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
  • Dangwa Tranco
  • Ballesteros Bus Line
  • JR-EC Transport
  • Transport Pro Services, Inc.
  • AJA Transport
  • Gabriel Trans
  • St. Joseph Transport
  • Coda Lines
  • Fred and Cathy Transport
OperatorG.V. Florida Transport, Inc. (1999–present)
Chief executiveHarry D. Florida
Key peopleGeorge U. Florida
Virgilio U. Florida Jr. (also known as Jun Florida)

GV. Florida Transport, Inc., formerly Florida Liner, is a Philippine bus company based in Barangay Matucay Allacapan, Cagayan. Established in 1970 by Virgilio Florida, Sr., the company operates buses to Northern Luzon destinations. Currently managed by brothers George and Virgilio Florida, Jr., and along with Harry D. Florida, Chief Operator Executive, the current municipal mayor of Allacapan, Cagayan.

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 for long-distance travel..[ citation needed ]

Etymology

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

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 and Virgilio Jr., is a popular bus company in Cagayan and Quirino provinces. The company offers comfortable and stylish travel experiences with its distinctive flowery livery on pink and 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 is expanding 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. This expansion will enhance service offerings and position G.V. Florida Transport as a key player in the sector, offering convenient and reliable travel options for passengers in Baguio (with the acquisition of Autobus' remaining routes), Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Isabela regions.

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.

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 RM2P platform featuring 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. as part of Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleet.

It also paved way in acquiring various companies starting the introduction of its newest subsidiary, Transport Pro Services Inc. which primarily service 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, GabrielTrans and Fred & Cathy Trans along with GMW Trans to its group of companies. Unlike previous acquissions of the company, these four companies continue to operate alongside the parent company, GV Florida as separate brands.

In addition, GV Florida Transport has also added new buses to their Deluxe and Sleeper Class fleets using Zhongtong buses with custom bodies made by GV Florida Bus Body an in-house body building of GV Florida Transport.

During the 4th Quarter of 2023, as parts of its re-fleeting program, GV Florida Transport expanded its Sleeper 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 (Scania Touring) bus body design.

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.

Note: Regular and Deluxe Classes uses pink bus while Super Deluxe and Sleeper Classes uses light blue/purple bus.

Operating fleet

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

G.V. Florida Transport has grown to about 300 buses.

Current Fleet

Note: All locally built units were utilizing the GD XML6127 Marcopolo side profile.

Former/Retired fleet

Terminals

GV Florida

Cagayan Valley

Ilocos Region

Cordillera Administrative Region

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

Fleet numbering

G.V. Florida Transport has its own special numberings on every kind of unit.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Praxedes, Cagayan</span> Municipality in Cagayan, Philippines

Santa Praxedes, officially the Municipality of Santa Praxedes, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 4,434 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victory Liner</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Victory Liner, Inc. (VLI) is a bus company in the Philippines that was established in 1945 by José Hernandez, is recognized as one of the primary providers of bus transportation in the Philippines, servicing key locations across Luzon. Initially using a fleet of repurposed military vehicles, the company was instrumental in meeting the post-WWII demand for public transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Five Star Bus Company</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Pangasinan Five Star Bus Company, Inc., or simply known as Five Star, is one of the largest bus companies in the Philippines. It serves routes mainly to the provinces of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partas</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Partas Transportation Co., Inc. is a bus transportation company in the Philippines. It operates a 24/7 service for passengers and freight between Metro Manila and northern Luzon, with services also running to the Cordilleras in Baguio, Bangued in Abra, and also to the south Occidental Mindoro. Partas also offers chartered service for tour groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxis of the Philippines</span>

Taxicabs of the Philippines are one of the modes of transportation in the country. They are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The taxicabs there vary from models and uses. Most taxicabs have yellow colored license plates, taxi signs, LTFRB Registration number, and taximeter, which is mandatory in every cab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Rabbit</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines, Inc. (PRBL) is a provincial bus company in the Philippines. It was founded in 1946 and is one of the oldest bus companies in the country. The company's area of coverage extends from Metro Manila to Baguio and northern provinces of Pampanga and Tarlac. Its main terminal in Metro Manila is along Avenida in Santa Cruz, Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominion Bus Lines</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Dominion Bus Lines is a bus transportation company in the Philippines. It operates a 24/7 service for passengers and freight between Metro Manila and northwest Luzon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baliwag Transit</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Baliwag Transit is one of the major bus companies in the Philippines with offices and terminals in various parts of Luzon that mainly services routes to and from Metro Manila and Central Luzon. It is named after the town of Baliwag, where it originated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inocencio Aniceto Transportation</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Inocencio Aniceto Transportation, also known as St. Joseph, is a bus transportation company in the Philippines. It is owned by the Aniceto Family of Vigan City, in Ilocos Sur province. It operates 24/7 transporting passengers between Metro Manila and northwest Luzon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenline Express</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Greenline Express is a city bus company in the Philippines, plying the route SM Fairview-PITX via Taft Ave. and Quezon Ave. Their office is located at Fairview, Quezon City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Del Monte Motors</span> Filipino bus and truck manufacturer

Del Monte Motor Works, Inc. (DMMW), also known as Del Monte Motors, is a bus and truck manufacturer headquartered in Quezon City, Philippines. It was established in 1950. The company offers a range of truck and bus bodies for its all major brands. It is also one of the leading bus body manufacturers in the Philippines, other including Santarosa Motor Works; Almazora Motors Corporation; and Hino Motors Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagupan Bus Company</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Dagupan Bus Co., Inc., is a provincial bus company based in Dagupan, Pangasinan. This company was a sister company of Saulog Transit up until the company's management was transferred to JAC Liner Inc., and Genesis Transport following Dagupan Bus' soldout in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viron Transit</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Viron Transportation Company or Viron Transit is a bus company servicing the Ilocos Region, Philippines. The bus company is owned by millionaire Santiago Rondaris' daughter. It formerly operated as far as the second district of Ilocos Sur but has started to operate as far as Laoag City after the collapse of its related bus company Times Transit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genesis Transport</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Genesis Transport Service, Inc., is a provincial bus company in the Philippines, operating routes connecting Metro Manila to Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HM Transport</span> Bus company in the Philippines

HM Transport Inc. is one of the largest bus companies in the Philippines. It offers both provincial and city operations, servicing routes from Metro Manila to Laguna province and vice versa. Its city operation subsidiary, Worthy Transport Inc. services routes from Airport Loop, Pasay, Plaza Lawton, Manila Lagusnilad Underpass, FTI Complex, Taguig, Baclaran, Parañaque, Ayala Avenue, Makati and Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna, all the way to SM Fairview in Quezon City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow Bus Line</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Yellow Bus Line, Incorporated (YBLI) is a large bus company in Mindanao. It operates bus transport services in the Central and Southern Mindanao with its headquarters in General Santos. Its company-owned terminals and offices are located in General Santos and Koronadal City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First North Luzon Transit</span> Bus company in the Philippines

First North Luzon Transit, Incorporated (FNLT), formerly known as Royal Eagle, is a bus company in the Philippines. They started their operations in Hagonoy, Bulacan, and expanded to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Pangasinan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bataan Transit</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Bataan Transit Co., Inc. is a provincial bus company in the Philippines plying Central and North Luzon, particularly to the provinces of Bataan and La Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicol Isarog Transport System</span> Bus company in the Philippines

Bicol Isarog Transport System, Inc. is a Philippine bus company based in Quezon City. Bicol Isarog, along with 6 sister bus lines, operates routes that primarily serves the Bicol Region, as well as Samar Province and Leyte Province.

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.