End of the Road: Philtranco, the Country's Oldest Bus Company, Shuts Down After 112 Years on March 30
If you've ever taken a long provincial bus ride anywhere in the Philippines, chances are you've been on a Philtranco. Sadly, the country's oldest bus operator is making its final trip — Philtranco Service Enterprises will permanently cease all operations on March 30, 2026, ending 112 years on Philippine roads.
Company president Michael Sabban cited "serious business losses" in an internal memo dated February 2, describing the shutdown as an "absolute last resort" after exhausting all recovery strategies. The memo circulated on social media on February 11, confirming what many in the transport sector had feared was coming.
Founded way back in 1914 as the Albert Louis Ammen Transportation Co. (ALATCO), Philtranco became a household name by pioneering long-haul routes connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. For over a century, it served as a vital artery for domestic trade and tourism — the kind of bus line that practically every Filipino family has a memory of riding.
The writing was on the wall as early as 2025, when Philtranco and its subsidiary Amihan Bus Lines briefly suspended services for financial restructuring. But the recovery proved short-lived, and the company eventually ran out of options. The shutdown will affect hundreds of employees — drivers, conductors, maintenance crews, and admin staff — who are now facing uncertain futures.
In his memo, Sabban praised his staff, calling the drivers the "heartbeat" of the service and office personnel its "backbone." With less than a month until the final trip, it's truly the end of an era for Philippine land transportation. Para sa lahat ng sumakay ng Philtranco — salamat sa 112 years of memories. 🚌
Source: Manila Bulletin
