THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its private partner launched a new airport bus route on Wednesday, with the new service aimed at augmenting the public-transport service at international gateway in Manila.
UBE Express has started operating its services from certain areas in the Makati Central Business District to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
“This route expansion of the UBE Express is a strategic addition, especially for prospective patrons who may have intended business engagements or may desire to access the business district of Makati,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Cherie Mercado-Santos said.
The additional route includes stops at Glorietta 4 and 5 and surrounding hotels within Ayala Center Makati, such as Ascott, Dusit Thani, Holiday Inn and Suites, Peninsula Manila, Shangri-La, New World and Fairmont Makati.
These express buses shall be picking up passengers daily from Naia Terminals 1 to 4 and shall be passing through these identified drop-off points and back.
There will also be a new UBE Express hub operating soon from Park Square to accommodate passengers in easy accessing and connecting with other modes of public transportation available.
“We institute ways of making mobility more inclusive and dignified by widening interconnectivity and providing more transportation alternatives available for everyone,” Santos added.
Likewise, UBE Express is partnering with Ayala Center Estate Association and the Ayala Malls for this route-expansion plan.
Ayala Malls also introduced “EasyRide”, an ongoing project of the mall chain giant that will provide convenient access to various modes of public transportation to their mall-goers and shoppers.
“This partnership signals the willingness of the business community to help the administration form realistic solutions to address issues, such as transport accessibility and terminal congestion in our airports. We welcome these positive efforts and wish for their further collaboration with us,” Santos explained.
Ube Express, which is operated by Air21, plans to expand the area of coverage in order to include other major areas in Metro Manila.