The name "Partas" was derived from the term "Satrap", an ancient Persian language word for "governor" (since Luis "Chavit" Singson, the owner, served as governor of Ilocos Sur for many years) spelled in reverse, an example of a palindrome. "Satrap" also refers to the name of the construction business owned and managed by Partas' owner/operator.[3]
Partas was founded on July 25, 1989,[4] and started its operations in 1991, a time when Philippine Rabbit and rival Fariñas Transit ruled the Ilocos routes; with millionaire Santiago Rondaris' Times Transit shut down for good due to labor disputes (later became Dominion Bus Lines); and St. Joseph sidelined by hard times. Partas Bus Lines, as a company, was incorporated by Luis Chavit Singson and Rolito Go at Laoag (Ilocos Norte).[3] Even as a new player in the industry back then, Partas has attracted the riding public with its state-of-the-art buses powered by Nissan Diesel and MAN engines; with the distinctive blue and white livery, and the Road Runner character from Looney Tunes, their standard emblem, adorning the front and sides of their buses.[5]
Partas is one of two bus companies in the Ilocos Region to have ever fielded a double-decker bus (the other being Fariñas).[6][7]
In Metro Manila, the main hub is at Cubao, Quezon City, which deploys trips to majority of its provincial destinations, except for Baguio.
Trips to and from the majority of its provincial destinations, except for Baguio, are available via their terminal in Pasay. One of the latest routes added to Pasay terminal is PasaytoPagudpud, Ilocos Norte, and vice versa.[8]
Partas operates around 300 buses. Currently the fleet predominantly consist of imported or locally-assembled Golden Dragon and Zhongtong buses from China.[12]
The company's official logo is Road Runner which is displayed, either standing or running, on most buses, with the name 'PARTAS' written in capital letters. All buses vary in livery design, but are predominantly blue (light and dark), red and white.
^Caña, Paul John. "How Rich is Chavit Singson?". Entrepreneur Philippines. Entrepreneur Philippines. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
^"Old Road Runner Livery of Partas Bus". Official Facebook Page of the Philippine Bus Photographers Association of the Philippines. facebook.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
