UV Express Units to Cover Suspended PNR Routes
The Philippine National Railways is looking to add UV Express units to the
buses it has engaged in collaboration with the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board to serve commuters along train routes
where train services have been suspended.
This will be part of PNR's bus augmentation program designed to run for
five years beginning last month to serve commuters affected by the
suspension of train services in Metro Manila to facilitate the completion
of the North-South Commuter Railway project.
Already the LTFRB has granted 25 bus operators a five-year franchise to
operate along the affected PNR routes with minimum fare set at 15 pesos for
the first five kilometers and that 2.65 pesos for each succeeding
kilometer.
According to news reports, PNR chairperson Michael Macapagal said the PNR
does not want to to flood the streets with buses and is considering using
UV Express units.
Around 30,000 commuters use PNR train services in Metro Manila before the
suspension.
Here's hoping that LTFRB authorizes enough UV Express units to meet the
demand to ensure no one gets stranded for lack of trains and other modes of
public transport along the suspended PNR routes.