LTFRB bans UV Express vehicles from EDSA

MANILA, Philippines – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has banned UV Express vehicles from EDSA to decongest the highway.

In Memorandum Circular 2016-009 dated July 28, the LTFRB said that UV Express “shall no longer be required to traverse a specified/particularized route.”

LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra and  member Ronaldo Corpus and former LTFRB board member Ariel Inton signed the memorandum circular.

The agency said UV Express drivers may traverse the most convenient route in going to their destination, but are not allowed to use EDSA except when they are crossing.

The LTFRB’s order amended the first provision of the agency’s Memorandum Circular 2009-019, which designates the UV Express service routes and areas of operation.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Emerson Carlos said the LTFRB order is expected to take effect in the first week of August after it is published in a newspaper of general circulation.

“Yes, it will help decongest traffic on EDSA,” he said. 

Carlos said once the LTFRB order takes effect, MMDA enforcers will apprehend UV Express vehicles spotted on EDSA for being “out of line.”

He advised UV Express commuters and operators to make the needed adjustments.

“It would really be an inconvenience but they can make use of alternate routes to reach their destinations aside from EDSA,” he said. 

Carlos clarified that as UV Express vehicles are designated as “point-to-point” public utility vehicles, they are not given a specific route to take in reaching their destinations.

He said these vehicles may still cross the 23.8-kilometer highway at several intersections such as Quezon Avenue, Shaw Boulevard and Ortigas Avenue.

 “They can take any route or the route which the driver thinks is the shortest or most convenient one,” Carlos said.

UV Express vehicles, however, are not allowed to pick-up passengers along the way once it leaves the dispatching stations, he said. 

Carlos added that instead of EDSA, UV Express vehicles could still pass through C-5 Road and minor streets designated by the MMDA as “mabuhay” or alternate lanes.