P2P bus operator opens Ortigas-Naia route; fare P70

Premium bus operator UBE Express launched on Monday a new point-to-point (P2P) route linking  Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) passenger terminals to Robinsons Galleria on Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City.

The latest P2P initiative — among the solutions aimed at easing road congestion through the use of mass transit options — will charge passengers an initial fare of P70 for a one-way trip.

The service, which runs from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., will link the mall with all four Naia terminals.

Garrie David, president of UBE Express, described Robinsons Galleria as a strategic site given its central location.

“We want to provide an easier way for people to get to and from the airport and [reduce] the number of vehicles on the road,” David said.

Commuters can book seats on UBE Express’ website or its Android phone-only mobile app, which was also launched on Monday.

Brand-new, with Wi-Fi

UBE Express uses brand-new Euro 5 buses that can

accommodate almost 40 passengers each. Equipped with closed-circuit television cameras and Wi-Fi, each vehicle has a low-floor entry designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

Owned by businessman Alberto Lina, it formally started its service two years ago. It now operates a fleet of almost 60 buses and serves about 30,000 passengers daily, David said.

Last month, UBE Express also started offering trips to the four Naia terminals from  Araneta Center bus station in Cubao, Quezon City. The bus fare is P100 per passenger.

The P2P system, which is costlier than an average bus trip but promises more amenities and faster travel time, was also intended to reduce vehicles on the roads.

Based on six roundtrips daily, the Robinsons Galleria-Naia service is equivalent to 135 full-capacity cars out of Edsa every day, said Darwin Renolayan, special projects director at Robinsons Malls.

UBE Express’ other routes from Naia serve Manila, Makati and Entertainment City.