George 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
[edit]One of GV Florida's Scania units, which was acquired in 2023, as part of their re-fleeting program.
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 1byDel 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) 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, Gabriel Trans and Fred & Cathy Trans along with GMW Trans to its group of companies. Unlike previous acquisitions 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.
In 2019, GV Florida 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 expanded 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 (Scania Touring), DM23 and DM24 series bus body designs.[3]
Fare class
[edit]A GV Florida Super Deluxe unit.GV Florida's Executive Class bus, which was launched in May 2024.
G.V. Florida has employed various types of fare classes across its fleet:
Regular Fare: Seats between 45–50 passengers in 2x2 configuration.
Deluxe Class: Seats between 41 or 45 passengers in 2x2 configuration, 2 LCD TV, with restroom.
Executive Deluxe Class: Similar to Deluxe Class but with longer legroom and non stop travel. (Note: Phased-out in favor of Deluxe Class. Not to be confused with Executive Class)
Super Deluxe Class: 29 spacious seats in 2x1 configuration, 2 LCD TV, with restroom.
Executive Class: Similar to Super Deluxe but features "LAZYBOY" seats in 2x1 configuration, 2 LCD TV, with restroom and additional of complementary free snacks and on-board USB Charging. (Note: Not to be confused with Executive Deluxe Class.)
Sleeper Class: Features 35 reclining double-deck bunk beds in 1x1x1 configuration, 4 TV, with onboard restroom. The first company to introduce Sleeper bus in the Philippines.
Executive Sleeper Class: An upgraded sleeper bus service which features 23 reclining wide double-deck beds in 1x1 configuration. Bus pads tablets with headphones were utilized in-lieu of TV sets for entertainment, and also includes onboard restroom and complimentary snacks, headrest, blankets, and USB Charging. This is currently the flagship service of GV Florida.
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 and Deluxe buses was painted in pink color while Super Deluxe and Sleeper buses was painted in light blue.
GD-series – currently used by locally-made units composed of DM14, DM16 Series and GD Marcopolo replica by Del Monte Motor Works, Inc and Hino Grandeza by Hino Motors Philippines (Regular Fare, Deluxe and Super Deluxe). Historically exclusive fleet number for Golden Dragon XML6127 Marcopolo Super Deluxe units and was the basis for its future locally made units since.
H-series – assigned exclusively for Higer units.
S-series – assigned to Sleeper Buses. (not to be confused with S00-series)
S00 series – assigned exclusively for Scania units. (not to be confused with S-series)
J-series – Kia Granbird exclusive fleet numbering (Regular Fare).
001-999 – Regular and Deluxe Fare original series. Assigned as temporary fleet number for new units.
Bullet/B-Series (B1 and B2) – formerly used by DMMC Aero Extreme Hino RM Super Deluxe units.
KL-series (KL1 and KL2) – formerly used by Kinglong XMQ6127 units.
Deck of Cards (Ten Long, Jack Long & Queen Long) – formerly assigned to DMMC Aero Adamant Hino RM Super Deluxe units mimicking their then-newly released King Long units (KL series).
Operating fleet
[edit]GV Florida Transport buses parked on their motorpool.
