LTFRB allows return of 47 UV Express routes starting June 29

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Saturday, June 27, that UV Express units plying to and from Metro Manila and nearby provinces will be allowed to operate in 47 routes starting Monday, June 29.

About 980 UV Express units will be allowed initially, but LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra noted that the Board is open to the possibility of deploying additional modern and traditional jeepneys later to augment the operations of the UV Express, depending on passenger demand.

UV Express units plying the 47 approved routes do not need to apply for special permits. Here is the list of approved UV Express routes:

1. Meycauayan – Central Integrated Terminal (QC)
2. Obando – MRT North Ave., QC
3. Sto. Niño (Meycauayan Bulacan) – MRT North Ave.
4. Sto. Niño (Meycauayan Bulacan) – Trinoma, MRT North Ave., Mindanao Ave.
5. Heritage (Meycauayan Bulacan) – SM North (QC)
6. Marilao (Bulacan) – SM North Ave.
7. Sto. Niño (Meycauayan Bulacan) – Central Integrated Terminal (QC)
8. SM Marilao (Bulacan) – Sm North (QC)
9. Malhacan (Meycauayan Bulacan) – Quezon Ave. via NLEX
10. Malhacan (Meycauayan Bulacan) – Central Integrated Terminal (QC)
11. Marilao – Central Integrated Terminal (QC)
12. Marilao Terminal – Quezon Ave. Terminal (MRT)
13. Turo (Bocaue, Bulacan) – Central Integrated Terminal
14. Turo (Bocaue, Bulacan) – Central Integrated Terminal via NLEX
15. Turo (Bocaue, Bulacan)) – Mrt / Quezon Ave. Terminal via NLEX
16. SM Marilao (Bulacan) – Central Integrated Terminal
17. Meycauayan – Recto
18. Balagtas – Monumento
19. Springville, Molino Bacoor – Alabang via Daanghari
20. Molino – Alabang via Daanghari
21. Molino Bacoor – Ayala Center Terminal via Skyway
22. Golden City (Dasmariñas) – Ayala Center
23. Pacita – Makati Square
24. Pacita Complex – Ayala Center Terminal via San Pedro Exit
25. Pacita Complex (Laguna) – SM Makati
26. Pacita (San Pedro, Laguna) – Makati Square
27. Pacita Complex – Ayala Center via Southwoods Exit
28. Barangay Mamatid (Cabuyao, Laguna) – Festival Mall
29. Mamatid (Cabuyao, Laguna) – Festival Mall (Alabang)
30. Balibago (Laguna) – SM Southmall (Las Piñas)
31. Taytay – EDSA Central
32. Greenland Executive Village (Cainta) – Ayala
33. Rodgriguez – Sta. Lucia Grandmall (Cainta)
34. Masinag – Ayala
35. Antipolo – Ayala
36. Antipolo – Ayala Via C5
37. Antipolo – Ayala Via Tikling
38. Antipolo – Ayala Via Circumferencial Rd.
39. San Mateo (Rizal) – Ayala Ave.
40. Binangonan – Sta. Lucia (Cainta)
41. Binangonan – SM Megamall
42. Binangonan -EDSA Starmall
43. Binangonan – EDSA Central
44. Binangonan – Marikina Riverbank via LRT Santolan
45. Cardona – EDSA Starmall
46. Cardona – EDSA Central
47. Morong – SM Megamall

The existing UV Express fare rate of P2 per kilometer remains, and no fare adjustment shall be applied unless approved by the LTFRB, Delgra said. He added that failure to comply with any of the guidelines may be subject to fines and suspension or cancellation of their franchise.

Delgra also reminded operators and drivers of UV Express to strictly comply with the guidelines set under LTFRB memorandum circular 2020-025. He added that the approved guidelines are in line with the gradual, calibrated, and calculated approach of the Department of Transportation on the resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila during the general community quarantine.

Among the conditions were:

• UV Express routes shall be terminal-to-terminal, maintain no pickup and drop off of passengers, and not pass through nor traverse EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue – except to cross;
• Operators must regularly examine a driver’s fitness to work, checking their body temperature and screening for symptoms of COVID-19;
• Drivers and conductors shall wear masks and gloves at all times;
• Commuters are required to wear masks to be allowed to board UV Express;
• Exact fare shall be paid prior to boarding the PUV or operators/drivers may devise any fare collection system to minimize/prevent transmittal of COVID-19;
• Passenger load must not exceed two passengers per row and passengers should be seated one seat apart;
• Operators shall install impermeable barriers to seal off the driver’s compartment and between rows of seats that are less than one meter apart

On June 22, 15 Metro Manila routes were also allowed by the LTFRB for compliant modern jeepneys. – Rappler.com