Philtranco Service Enterprises Inc. (Philtransco), the oldest bus operator in the country and a cornerstone of provincial transit for over a century, will cease all operations on March 30, according to an internal memorandum.

The decision to shutter the 112-year-old carrier follows years of mounting financial pressure. In a circular dated Feb. 2, Michael M. Sabban, Philtransco president and chief executive officer cited “serious business losses” that have rendered the enterprise unsustainable.

The memo, which circulated on social media on Wednesday, Feb. 11, described the move as an “absolute last resort” after management exhausted all alternative recovery strategies.

Founded in 1914 as the Albert Louis Ammen Transportation Co. (ALATCO), Philtranco became a household name, pioneering long-haul routes connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its departure from the market will mark the end of an era for a transport network that served as a vital artery for domestic trade and tourism across the archipelago.

Philtranco had already shown signs of distress in 2025, when it and subsidiary Amihan Bus Lines briefly suspended services. While that pause was intended to allow for a financial restructuring, the subsequent recovery proved short-lived.

The company's leadership acknowledged the immediate impact on its workforce, stating that it is no longer able to sustain payroll. The shutdown will affect hundreds of employees, including drivers, conductors, maintenance crews, and administrative staff.

In the memorandum, Sabban praised the professionalism of the staff during the company’s final years, calling the drivers the “heartbeat” of the service and the office personnel its “backbone.”