GV Florida Transport
Founded1971 (1971) (as Florida Liner)
HeadquartersMatucay, Allacapan, Cagayan
LocaleLuzon
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
OperatorG.V. Florida Transport, Inc. (1999–present)
Chief executiveHarry D. Florida
Key peopleGeorge U. Florida
Virgilio U. Florida Jr. (also known as Jun Florida)
WebsiteOfficial website

GV. Florida Transport, Inc., previously known as Florida Liner, is a Philippine bus company headquartered in Barangay Matucay Allacapan, Cagayan, and operates a fleet of buses that provide transportation services to various destinations in Northern Luzon. It was founded by Virgilio Florida, Sr., in 1970. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is currently managed by brothers George Florida and Virgilio Florida, Jr., along with Harry D. Florida, Chief Operator Executive, the current municipal mayor of Allacapan, Cagayan. The company is known for its commitment to safety and customer satisfaction and has gained a strong reputation in the industry over the years. With its dedicated management team and experienced staff, G.V. Florida Transport continues to be a trusted choice for travelers in the region.

The company also offers bus chartering services to individuals and corporations. These services are available for various occasions, such as corporate events, weddings, and school trips. The company ensures a comfortable and reliable transportation experience with their well-maintained fleet of buses and professional drivers.

GV Florida Transport also known as the first bus company in the Philippines to introduce the Sleeper Bus.

Etymology

The name of the bus company is derived from the incorporators of the company, the Florida brothers, George Florida and Virgilio Florida Jr., who played a crucial role in establishing the bus company. Their first names were abbreviated to create a unique and memorable name for the company. This naming convention not only honored the founders but also added a personal touch to the brand identity.

History

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

G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 by Virgilio Florida and his son, George Florida, from the barangay Matucay, in the municipality of Allacapan, Cagayan. At the time, EMC Transportation, Inc. was the largest bus company operating in Cagayan and Quirino provinces. GV Florida’s commitment to providing a comfortable and stylish travel experience has made it a popular choice among commuters with the distinctive flowery livery on a pink body colour adorning all sides of their buses. The company's buses are equipped with modern amenities such as reclining seats, air conditioning, and onboard entertainment systems. It ferries goods and passengers from Metro Manila to the Cagayan Valley Region and the Ilocos Region, as well as inter-provincial routes between neighbouring provinces in the Cagayan Valley. Additionally, GV Florida's well-trained and courteous staff ensure that passengers have a pleasant journey from start to finish.

Early Expansion and Acquisions

G.V. Florida Transport's acquisition of the several franchises from different bus companies such as F. Franco Transit, B. Trans, Autobus Transportation, Viva Alladin, Ballesteros Bus Line, and the Cagayan line of Dagupan Bus Company, will strengthen their presence through the expansion of the transportation industry and will also enhance their service offerings to a wider range of customers. By adding new routes and frequencies, G.V. Florida Transport is positioning itself as a key player in the transportation sector, providing convenient and reliable travel options for passengers traveling to Baguio (with the acquisition of Autobus' remaining routes), and as well as other destinations in the 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. These two bus companies provide convenient and comfortable travel options for passengers going to various destinations in the Philippines. With their sleeper buses, passengers can enjoy a restful journey while reaching their desired locations efficiently.

2011 Expansion and Refleeting

During the latter part of 2011, GV Florida Transport expanded its fleet by purchasing a fleet of six (6) units of MAN R39 18.350 as part of its Super Deluxe fleet and 20 Exclusively Modified PHI Grandeza RM as part of its deluxe (And later Super Deluxe) fleet. In 2013, they started to acquire the DM14 Series (body assembled by Del Monte Motor Works, Inc.) with Hino RM chassis for their Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleet. The addition of the DM14 Series with Hino RM chassis to GV Florida Transport's fleet in 2013 marked a shift towards higher quality and improved performance for their Deluxe and Super Deluxe fleets. This decision was driven by the company's commitment to providing a superior travel experience for their customers.

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 and Gabriel Trans alongside with GMW Trans to its group of companies. Unlike previous acquisions of the company, these four companies continue to operate alongside with 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.

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

  • Regular Fare: Seats between 45–50 passengers.
  • Deluxe Class: Seats between 41 or 45 passengers, 2 LCD TV, with restroom.
  • Executive Deluxe Class: Seats 41 passengers with more leg room, 2 LCD TV, with restroom (Note: No longer available in favor for Deluxe Class.)
  • Super Deluxe Class: 2x1 Spacious seats, 29 seaters, 2 LCD TV, with restroom
  • Sleeper Class: 1x1x1 double decker 35 bunk beds that can be reclined, 4 TV, with restroom. The first company to introduce Sleeper bus in the Philippines.

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.

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

Current Fleet

  • Del Monte Motor Works, Inc.
    • DM14 Series I
      • Hino RM2PSS
    • DM16 Series I
    • DM22T / DM23 modified (Scania Touring)
    • first generation GD XML6127 'Marcopolo' replica
      • Hino RM2PSS
      • Hino RU2PSS (in KTP Chassis)
      • Hyundai Aero Express HSX
      • MAN R39 18.350 HOCL
      • Hyundai Aero Space LS
  • Notes: GV Florida has an in-house bus body building facility (GVFBB) were its designs were based on Del Monte Motorworks' bus models.
  • Higer
    • KLQ6123KQ U-Tour
    • KLQ6118H U-Tour (Regular Fare for GMW Trans)
    • KLQ6128LQ U-Tour
  • King Long
    • XMQ6111CY (acquired unit from Gabriel Trans)
  • Zhongtong Bus
  • LCK6118H Elegance (Regular Fare unit for GMW Trans)

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

Former/Retired fleet

  • Del Monte Motor Works, Inc.
    • DM09
      • Mercedes-Benz OH-1625
      • Hino RF821
    • DM11
      • Hyundai Aero Express HSX
      • Hyundai Aero Space LS
      • Daewoo BH116
      • Hino RF821
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
    • Aero Adamant
      • Hino RF821
      • Hino RK3HS
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
      • Mercedes-Benz OH-1625
    • Aero Extreme
      • Hino RF821
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
      • Nissan Diesel JA520RAN
      • Mercedes-Benz OH-1625
    • Lion Star
      • Hino RF821
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
    • Euro Bus
      • Hino RF821
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
    • first generation GD XML6127 Marcopolo replica
      • Hino RF821
      • Isuzu CQR660
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
      • Hyundai Aero Space LS
      • Daewoo BH116
      • Kia Granbird (SD-I Greenfield, SD-II Parkway, & HD Sunshine)
  • Pilipinas Hino Inc.
    • Hino MR-Series
      • Hino RM2PSS
      • Hino RF821
    • Hino Grandeza
      • Hyundai Aero
      • Daewoo BH115
      • Daewoo BH116
      • SsangYong Transtar
      • Kia Granbird
    • Hino Prisma
      • Hino RF821
  • Nissan Diesel Philippines Corp.
    • Euro Bus
      • Nissan Diesel JA430SAN
      • Nissan Diesel RB46S
  • Higer
    • V92W KLQ6129QWE3 Sleeper bus

Terminals

GV Florida

Cagayan Valley

  • Cagayan
    • Abulug (Jct.Luna)
    • Alcala
    • Aparri
    • Baggao
    • Ballesteros
    • Buguey
    • Claveria
    • Enrile
    • Faire (Sto.Nino,Cagayan)
    • Gatarran (Brgy Nabaccayan)
    • Gonzaga
    • Lasam
    • Piat
    • Tuao
    • Tuguegarao
    • Sanchez-Mira
    • Santa Ana
  • Isabela
    • Aurora
    • Burgos
    • Cabatuan
    • Delfin Albano
    • Echague
    • Ilagan
    • Jones
    • Luna
    • Roxas
    • San Agustin
    • San Mateo
    • Santiago
    • Tumauini
  • Quirino
    • Maddela

Ilocos Region

  • Ilocos Norte
    • Batac
    • Dingras
    • Laoag
    • Nueva Era
    • Pagudpud
    • Piddig
    • Solsona

Cordillera Administrative Region

  • Abra
    • Bangued
  • Benguet
    • Baguio

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.

  • F-Series – Regular Fare & 2 unit Deluxe. Korean-made units. (with restrooms).
  • GD-Series – Golden Dragon XML6127 Marcopolo, DM14 & DM16 Series and GD Marcopolo Replica from Del Monte Motor Works, Inc and Grandeza from Pilipinas Hino (Regular Fare, Deluxe and Super Deluxe).
  • S and H Series – Composed of Higer, Hino, Scania, and Golden Dragon Sleeper Buses.
  • KL Series (KL1 and KL2 only) – Composed of their 2 Kinglong Units (Demoted to Deluxe)
  • J Series – Kia Granbird exclusive fleet numbering (Regular Fare)
  • 001-999 – Regular and Deluxe Fare original series (with restroom)

See also

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.
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