Jeepney Has Been Moving Filipino Population for Decades
The Jeepney has moved the population of the Philippines for over half a century, and is now very centric to the culture.
Public transportation in the Philippines is a bit different from here. In the States, we have your standard boring buses, but in the Pearl of the Orient Seas, they get the Jeepney. The Jeepney was born from necessity, if you will. Remnants of the war left behind by U.S. forces at the end of WW2, Willys Jeeps were converted into people carriers.
Stretched frames usually hold a diesel engine, while the custom stainless steel bodies are customized to the hilt. Not a single Jeepney looks alike, always reflecting the owner/driver’s personality.
Cheapness comes about from low operating costs. Rates can be expected to be under 25 cents for most rides. Easing the transportation burden on its citizens has even been recognized by Filipino politicians, and they are in no rush to change a system that works so well.
Jeepney drivers have two modes: lightning fast, or ready to collect fares. A fully-laden Jeepney is a profitable one, so you’ll often find half-full examples lumbering along, waiting to spot the next person to hail it down. Once full, it’s off to the final destination to pick up the next fill of passengers. It is organized chaos, but there is no question that the Jeepney is uniquely Filipino.
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Via [Car & Driver]
