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.
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 a 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 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 especially in Cordillera Region with the absorption of St. Joseph Express, Gabriel Trans and later, Dangwa Transport, along with GMW Trans, to its group of companies. Unlike previous company acquisitions, 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 1 body. On the 4th Quarter of 2023 and early 2024, as part of its major 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, and later its in-house bodybuilder, Pura Bus, utilizing the DM22T, DM23 and DM24 bus body.[3] GV Florida also revived the "Executive Deluxe" with the introduction of Higer KLQ6127LA "Tourist" buses in its fleet.
On June 10, 2025, DOTr suspends 15 bus units covering the routes Sta. Ana–Sampaloc and Baguio–Apayao for 30 days, following the viral video bus allegedly caught in the act racing with each other in the area of Nueva Vizcaya, which was uploaded on June 8.[4] Following the suspension, DOTr decided that three drivers revoked their licenses.[5]
Fare class
A GV Florida Super Deluxe unit. A DMMWI XML6127 inspired body in MAN R39 18.350 platform.
G.V. Florida has employed various types of fare classes across its fleet:
Regular Fare: Seats between 45–50 passengers in 2x2 configuration. (This fare class is rarely seen on the road as it was mostly superseded by the Deluxe Class)
Deluxe Class: Seats between 43 passengers in 2x2 configuration, 2 LCD TV. Similar with Regular Fare but with an addition of on-board toilet.
Super Deluxe Class: 28 spacious seats in 2x1 configuration, 2 LCD TV, with on-board toilet.
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 Class
One of GV Florida's Executive Sleeper units. A DMMWI DM23 Series 1 in Scania K360IB Platform.Interior of GV Florida Transport's Executive Sleeper
GV Florida introduced the Executive Class in mid-2024 as a point-to-point (P2P) and an upgraded service to its existing fare classes to better compete with other bus companies' product offerings such as "Royal Class" of Victory Liner and "Joybus" of Genesis Transport.
Executive Deluxe - GV Florida revived the Executive Deluxe Class in mid-2025 as an enhanced version of the Deluxe Class featuring 41 seats in 2x2 configuration (wider legroom versus deluxe class), individual bus pad tablets in each seat with USB charging, LCD TV, and on-board toilet. Utilized by Scania K360, Zhongtong LCK6123CRA, and Higer KLQ6127LA "Tourist" Fleet.
Executive Super Deluxe - 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. Utilized by Hino RM2PSS and Scania K360 fleet.
Executive Sleeper - An upgraded sleeper bus service which features 23 premium pods in 1x1 double-deck configuration. Bus pads tablets with headphones were provided in each pod 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. The entire Executive Sleeper Class was utilized by the Scania K360.
Audio and Video systems and Airconditioning are standard on all of its buses. On-board toilets were standard for the majority of its fleet except the Regular Fare class. Some newer units feature either on-board Power outlet or USB Charging.
Body Colors
The Regular Fare, Deluxe Fare and the Dangwa Transport's buses were painted pink body color, while the Super Deluxe and Sleeper buses, and some their executive class equivalents were painted light blue. The newest body color, Cyan, was exclusively used by the newer batches of Executive Sleeper.[6]
Meanwhile the GMW Trans, Transport Pro Service, St. Joseph Express and Gabriel Trans were painted in orange color with different variations 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. Scania units were re-assigned to S00 series
T-series - assigned to Transport Pro Service.
GD-series – currently used by locally built units that were made by Del Monte Motor Works, Inc, Pura Bus, and 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)
001-999 – Regular and Deluxe Fare original series. Assigned as temporary fleet number for new units. Also assigned to Gabriel Trans and St. Joseph Transport 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).
J-series – Kia Granbird exclusive fleet numbering (Regular Fare).
Operating fleet
GV Florida Transport buses parked on their motorpool.
^"Introducing a Fresh New Look!". Facebook. March 10, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025. Ride in style with our newest 2025 Executive Class in a sleek CYAN livery! Featuring a refined interior and upgraded features. Experience comfort, class, and a touch of elegance on your next trip. ##maCYANkasamaSaByahe
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