UV Express, traditional jeeps allowed on NCR roads next week

UV Express units and traditional jeeps will be allowed to ply routes in Metro Manila starting next week, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra said on Wednesday.

During the virtual meeting of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development on Wednesday, lawmakers pressed the LTFRB to give an exact date when traditional jeepneys and UV Express units may return to the streets.

They are still banned from operating in the National Capital Region.

"Next week for both UV and traditional jeepneys," Delgra told the lawmakers.

"For Monday may bubuksan na mga UV [Express], and then followed by the traditional jeepneys," he added.

Delgra did not provide an exact date when the traditional jeepneys would be allowed to return on the road.

He said the LTFRB was following a hierarchy in gradually allowing different modes of public transportation to operate after the government suspended their operations following the declaration of an enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

"Yung sa hierarchy, ang sinasabi natin dito na yung may mas malaking kapasidad na makakadala ng pasahero from point A to point B, yun ang sinasabi natin na may preference," Delgra said.

As of Monday, operations of MRT, LRT, city buses, and modern jeepneys have been allowed.

Aside from capacity to carry passengers, Delgra said the LTFRB was also considering the capacity of operators to manage their units.

"Yung sinasabi nating bus at yung sinasabi nating modern jeepney, they are better managed than the traditional jeepney or the UV Express," Delgra said.

"Comparatively speaking, they are better managed operation-wise, from payment of salary to AFCS (automated fare collection system) to deployment of units. That is also another consideration why there is that preference," he added.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier announced that there would be two phases to be executed in the resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila as it transitions into general community quarantine on Monday.

Under Phase 1, covering June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, TNVS (transport network vehicle services), shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles will be allowed to operate with a limited passenger capacity.

Tricycles will also be allowed, subject to the prior approval of the concerned local government units.

Provincial buses will be barred from entering Metro Manila during the June 1 to 21 period.

In Phase 2, covering June 22 to 30, public utility buses, modern PUVs or jeepneys, and UV Express will be allowed to operate, also with limited passenger capacity.

Transport modes allowed under Phase 2 will operate alongside those allowed during Phase 1, the DOTr said. -NB, GMA News