UBE Express’ Naia-Robinsons Galleria P2P route takes off

Photo from UBE Express’ Facebook page

Premium bus operator UBE Express has launched a new point-to-point (P2P) route that will link the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) passenger terminals with Robinsons Galleria, located at the heart of Metro Manila in the Ortigas Business District.

This latest P2P initiative—among the solutions aimed at cutting road congestion through the use of mass transit options—made its debut Monday at an initial fare of P70 for a one-way trip.

The service, which first trip would be at 6:00 a.m. and last trip at 9:00 p.m., will link Robinsons Galleria with all four passenger terminals of Naia.

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

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

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

UBE Express, owned by businessman Alberto Lina, 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.

UBE Express uses brand-new Euro 5 buses, which can accommodate almost 40 passengers each and come equipped with CCTV cameras and onboard Wi-Fi. The low floor entry was also designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

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

Based on six round trips daily, the Robinsons Galleria-Naia service was equivalent to 135 full-capacity cars out of EDSA daily, said Darwin Renolayan, special projects director at Robinsons Malls.

UBE Express’ other routes from NAIA serve Manila, Makati, Entertainment City, and Araneta Center in Cubao.

Other P2P routes of the Robinsons Group include Robinsons Novaliches-Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Galleria-Makati Central Business District, Robinsons Galleria-Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Galleria-Alabang, Robinsons Sta. Rosa-Makati, Robinsons Place Manila-Naia, and Naia Terminal 3-Robinsons Galleria-Clark. /kga