Philtranco spends US$3.05 million on luxury coaches

Philippine ground operator, Philtranco, spent 140 million pesos (US$3.05 million) on 20 plush new German-made tour coaches.

Philtranco, which was established in 1914, also spent 100 million pesos on its facility in Laguna in compliance with the Clean Air Act passed by the Congress, said Philtranco president Alejandro Yague.

The launch of the new coaches coincided with National Tourism Week.

Tourism secretary Gemma Araneta hailed Philtranco for doing its part in giving tourism a major push. "Our very good President Joseph Ejercito has always underlined the need for the country to have coaches that are at par with international standards," she said.

Each luxury coach has capacity for 29 and gives passengers more elbow and leg room and space to move around.