LTFRB lifts total ban of UV Express on EDSA

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has modified its earlier order banning UV Express Service vehicles from the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

In a Memorandum Circular No. 2016-013 dated September 8, the LTFRB said that “after consultative meeting with affected operators of UV Express Service,” the board ruled to modify Memorandum Circular No. 2016-009 issued on July 28.

The new memorandum was signed by LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and board members Ronaldo Corpus and Aileen Lourdes Lizada.

The new memorandum took effect on Friday, September 9.

The LTFRB declared that "UV Express Services are not allowed to traverse EDSA, except when crossing the same” last July.

The LTFRB had said that the order was part of the Duterte administration’s bid to ease traffic congestion on Metro Manila’s main highway.

In modifying the July memorandum, the LTFRB said it took into consideration “the factors of convenience of the riding public particularly of the Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities [as well as] easy access to MRT Stations.”

In the new memorandum, the LTFRB allows UV Express vehicles to traverse certain parts of EDSA under the following routes:

For UV Express Service vehicles going to and from South of Metro Metro Manila:

• To Makati – take Skyway going to terminals at Dusit Hotel, Dela Rosa, Gabriela Silang and other terminals in Makati CBD
• From Makati – take Arnaiz Street going to EDSA and going to Magallanes Interchange and to SLEX

For UV Express Service vehicles going to and from the South, North East (Fairview) and East (Pasig, Marikina and Rizal areas) of Metro Manila to Cubao area:

• To Cubao – take C5 to Aurora Boulevard and vice-versa

For UV Express Service vehicles going to and from East of Metro Manila (Pasig Marikina and Rizal areas) C5 to Makati:

• To Makati – take Kalayaan flyover to Buendia Avenue
• From Makati – take EDSA from Ayala Avenue and turn right to Kalayaan Avenue

For UV Express Service vehicles from the North to and from the North Triangle Area (CIT, SM North EDSA, Trinoma Mall)

• From the North – UV Express vehicles are allowed to traverse EDSA from Balintawak Interchange and drop passengers only at end of line of MRT at North EDSA Station and end of line of LRT Muñoz Station, but not allowed to pick up passengers along EDSA provided these drop off points are within two-kilometer radius from the endpoint terminals
• To the North – Traverse EDSA and exit to Balintawak Interchange going to NLEX

The LTFRB reminded that UV Express Service vehicles are not allowed to drop off or pick up passengers anywhere else on EDSA except at the end line of MRT North EDSA Station and LRT Roosevelt Station. —ALG, GMA News