NAIA UBE Express now up and running
When we last wrote about UBE Express, the premium bus service was still in its testing phase. Passengers were clearly delighted, because UBE Express is now officially up and running at all international terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
LEAVING FROM THE AIRPORT? Take an UBE Express instead of the standard airport taxi. It’s more comfortable and more affordable! Image grabbed from UBE Express Facebook page
This was born out of an initiative from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to launch an Airport Bus Service that would help ease the current traffic situation in and around NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. After partnering with Air21, the Premium Airport Bus Service, named UBE Express, was born.
UBE is an acronym that stands for Ultimate Bus Experience. Launched last Tuesday, September 6, these premium buses will take passengers from NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to stops along three pre-determined routes: Makati, Roxas Boulevard, and Entertainment City.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. Here’s a handy infographic for all of your questions. Image from www.ubeexpress.com
The fleet of 21 Mercedes Benz MCV 120 buses are state-of-the-art, with Euro 5 BlueTec engines, GPS system, radio communications, CCTV cameras, speed limiters, and sensors which prevent the bus from accelerating when the doors are open.
Each bus can sit up to 24 passengers, all cradled in comfort with ergonomically-designed seats. UBE Express buses are also equipped with free WiFi and ample standing room, further bumping the capacity to 100.
It also has low-entry doors with ramps that make it accessible for persons with disabilities (PWDs), especially those riding on wheelchairs.
These buses will be available from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm every day, plying these routes with these stops:
ROUTE MAP. Here’s a stop-by-stop map for UBE Express. Image grabbed from UBE Express Facebook page
● Makati (Glorietta 4, Glorietta 5, Ascott, Holiday Inn, Shangri-La, Fairmont, Dusit Thani)
● Roxas Boulevard (Philtranco, Victory Liner, Grand Prix Hotel, Kabayan Hotel, Heritage Hotel, Midas Hotel, Jam Liner, Hotel Jen, Century Park, Diamond Hotel, New World Manila, Robinsons Place, Bayview Hotel, Manila Pavilion, Manila Hotel, Intramuros)
● Entertainment City (Airport Hotel 101, SM Mall of Asia, Conrad, Microtel, Golden Phoenix, Solaire Casino, City of Dreams, Red Planet)
Buses will be made available every 20 minutes at these locations:
● NAIA Terminal 1: left side of the Main Arrival Area in front of the New World Hotel Lounge
● NAIA Terminal 2: Bay 17 of the Arrival Area
● NAIA Terminal 3: Curbside of Arrival Area
Rides will cost P300, though it is being at an introductory price of P150. Reservations can be made online at www.ubeexpress.com if you’re coming from outside the airport, or at the UBE Express airport booths if you’ve just arrived at NAIA.
UBE Express is seen as a way to decongest Manila’s highly congested roads, especially those around NAIA. In a report from news website CNN Philippines, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said “Imbes nalang na magdadala ka ng sasakyan, punta ka nalang sa estasyon, sumakay ka at, yun na! Makakarating ka na sa paroroonan mo in comfort and in style.”
(Instead of brining your own car, all you need to do is proceed to the station and get on board. You’ll be taken to your destination in comfort and style.)
Source: CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Spot.PH
