Is this the end of the iconic jeepney? If these fancy new electric jeepneys (e-jeeps) fly with commuters, it could be.
The 15 eSakay e-jeeps have started plying the Makati-Mandaluyong route today as part of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on its Facebook page.
The e-jeeps will traverse from the Buendia MRT station in Makati City to the Mandaluyong City Hall via Jupiter Street and vice versa.
And they got quite the glow up too. These vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking systems, CCTV cameras, and will utilize an automated fare collection system.
They’ve also got USB charging ports and Wi-Fi so passengers can watch their favorite shows or send out important work emails while on the go.
READ: PH transportation groups protest jeepney modernization in 2-day strike
The minimum fare is PHP9 (US$0.17), while it’s PHP15 (US$0.29) for an end-to-end trip, GMA News reported.
It has a side entrance and priority seats for senior citizens and PWD (Person With Disability) passengers.
Each of the jeepneys can carry up to 40 passengers and can run up to 100km, ABS-CBN New stated.
This is cool and all but it could also lead to the end of the iconic colorful jeepneys. Apart from being the most common mode of public transportation, they are also seen as a symbol of Philippine culture.
READ: Government starts jeepney modernization, goes after old vehicles on the road
The modernization program seeks to phase out approximately 179,000 old jeepneys that are aged 15 years and older, Interaksyon reported. The government has been pushing for the phaseout of old jeepneys as they often break down while on the road, making them unsafe and a cause of heavy traffic jams.
Many jeepney drivers have staged protests against the program because of its “anti-poor” approach.
It would require jeepney drivers to buy new vehicles worth at least PHP1.4 million (US$27,650), which they said will cost too much even with the financial aid the government plans to provide.
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