84 bus permits issued for routes vacated by GV Florida

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines   â€“ The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has granted 84 special permits to bus companies that will temporarily take over the routes in Ilocos and Cagayan Valley vacated by the suspended GV Florida Transport Inc.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the move aims to ease the bus shortage this Lenten rush in the northern Ilocandia.

The special permits were among the 594 others issued by the LTFRB nationwide in anticipation of the Lenten rush this week when commuters are expected to flock to provinces.

Marcos said Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Abaya informed him of the additional 84 special bus trips in response to calls from commuters from Ilocos and Cagayan Valley.

The commuters’ move stemmed from the suspension of 188 buses of GV Florida after one of its buses figured in an accident in Bontoc last February that killed 14 people.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said he received 945 applications for bus permit this year.

“We have to carefully screen every applicant to ensure they have no pending case with the board and must carry existing and valid insurance coverage,” Ginez said.