The ban on UV Express vehicles from using Commonwealth Avenue is not a policy imposed by the Quezon City government, an official said on Thursday, Feb. 17.
QC Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management (TFTTM) officer-in-charge Dexter Cardenas made the clarification after learning that some transport groups and motorists have been complaining about not being allowed to pass through some major thoroughfares, particularly Commonwealth Ave.
He told Manila Bulletin that the city is currently holding a series of dialogues with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board - National Capital Region (LTFRB - NCR) to discuss the issue and other matters affecting the public utility vehicle drivers.
In 2020, the LTFRB approved a memorandum that changes or shortens the routes of public vehicles (e.g. UVs, jeepneys and buses) in the region due to the limitations caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Cardenas said that the imposition of the ban is not under the city government's mandate as the LTFRB is the one that approves where the vehicles can pass through.
He added that Mayor Joy Belmonte and the LTFRB-NCR had a dialogue with a transport group to hear the plight of UV Express and jeepney drivers last Jan. 30. Among the issued tackled were the vehicle routes in the city, the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP), public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization, and others.
Cardenas told Manila Bulletin that they had a follow-up discussion with the LTFRB-NCR regarding concerns of the transport group last Feb. 4. The result of the dialogues is yet to be announced.