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 is the first bus company in the Philippines to introduce sleeper buses for long-distance travels.
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.
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.
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 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.
F-series – exclusive for Korean branded units.
D-series - assigned to Dangwa Transport's units.
T-series - assigned to Transport Pro Service.
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 to Higer units.
S-series – assigned to Sleeper Buses. (not to be confused with S00-series)
S00 series – assigned exclusively to 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.
Retired Fleet numbering
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
GV Florida Transport buses parked on their motorpool.
