LTFRB suspends P2P policy for UV Express vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will put “on hold” indefinitely its order limiting UV Express Service vehicles to operating on a point-to-point basis, an official said yesterday.

The implementation of Memorandum Circular 2019-025 will be suspended until after additional consultations with other transport sectors, said LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra.

“Put on hold pa rin till after consultations with bus and PUJ (public utility jeepney) operators. Wala muna until additional consultations,” he said in a message sent to reporters. 

The LTFRB’s two-week suspension of the policy’s implementation was supposed to end this week, prompting transport and commuter groups to ask the courts to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO).

A petition for injunction with application for the issuance of a TRO was filed earlier this week by The Stop and Go Coalition, Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection and Defend Job Philippines before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. 

The LTFRB decided to suspend the implementation of the order following public outcry and criticism as it is expected to affect thousands of drivers and commuters. 

The circular limited UV Express units to strictly operate on a point-to-point basis from their terminals. 

Under the new order, which was supposed to take effect last May 16, UV Express Service units may no longer pick up or drop off passengers within a two-kilometer radius from their terminals.