UV express, jeepneys to resume operations next week-LTFRB

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra said Wednesday that UV express units and traditional jeepneys would be allowed to resume operations in Metro Manila beginning next week.

During the online hearing, Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice asked Delgra the House Committee on Metro Manila Development for clarification on when the government would allow UV express units and traditional jeepneys to operate as the country continues to fight COVID-19.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Next week for both UV and traditional jeepneys,” Delgra responded.

“For Monday may bubuksan na mga (there will be slots opened for) UV, and then followed by the traditional jeepney,” he added. However, he did not give an exact date as to when traditional jeepneys would be able to ply the roads.

Currently, the LTFRB implemented a two-phase resumption of public utility vehicles (PUVs) guided by a “hierarchy of transport.” Vehicles that could accommodate more people were given priority to resume operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trains, bus augmentations, point-to-point buses, taxis, transport network vehicles, and tricycles were allowed during the first phase, while modern jeepneys and UV Express vans ply on the second phase.

Also read: Palace: UV Express has ‘better chance than jeepneys’

“’ 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 explained.

ADVERTISEMENT

(The hierarchy we’re talking about here is regarding those with a bigger capacity to carry passengers from point A to point B. That’s the preference we’re talking about.)

Aside from the capacity of the vehicles, the government agency also considered the operator’s ability to manage the units.

“The bus and modern jeepney we’re talking about, 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 to deployment of units. That is also another consideration why there is that preference,” he added.

Malacañang earlier said that UV Express units have a better chance of resuming operations than the traditional jeepneys under the community quarantine.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that unlike in a traditional jeep, no passengers face each other aboard a UV Express vehicle.