Makati suspends loading policy for UV Express vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — UV Express service vehicles are now allowed to drop off and pick up passengers at designated loading and unloading areas in Makati City’s central business district (CBD), Mayor Abigail Binay announced yesterday.

Binay said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has agreed to lift its “no loading, no unloading” policy for UV express vehicles in Makati until November.

“It will give us ample time to study the situation on the ground and coordinate with LTFRB and other concerned parties regarding possible assistance and suggestions for implementing the memorandum,” Binay said in a statement.

The mayor was referring to LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2019-025, which states that UV Express vehicles can only operate on a point-to-point basis and are not allowed to drop off or pick up passengers along the way, which has become an inconvenience to commuters coming in and out of the city.

The decision was reached following a meeting among the city’s law and public safety department officials, LTFRB executives and representatives from the Makati Parking Authority, Makati Central Estate Association (MACEA) and Ayala Property Management Corp.(APMC).

“Let me assure the public, especially workers who commute daily to and from the city, that we have your best interests at heart,” Binay said.

MACEA and APMC officers also agreed to collaborate with the LTFRB and the local government on identifying official public transportation terminals at the Ayala Center to ease traffic congestion in the financial district.

Binay urged UV Express drivers to inform their passengers of the temporary suspension of the policy.

“We expect them to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations and observe proper loading and unloading areas to avoid impeding traffic flow in the CBD,” she said.