ILOILO – Modern passenger jeepneys will be servicing Ilonggos beginning today albeit on limited routes initially. These jeepneys, compliant with the requirements of the government’s transport modernization program, will be plying three new routes for now.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is going ahead with the Iloilo launching of the modern jeepneys despite pleas from local jeepney groups opposed to the phaseout of jeepneys 15 years old and older.
According to LTFRB chairman Martin Delga III, the modern jeepneys are equipped with the following:
* security cameras
* WiFi
* Global Positioning System
* automatic fare collection system
* television monitors
* air-conditioning
Looking more like small school buses than the traditional passenger jeepneys, the modern jeepneys are also “friendly” to persons with disabilities, according to Delgra.
The government’s move to modernize Philippine public transport aims to minimize air pollution and improve public transport safety. Most jeepneys are not compliant with smoke emission standards, according to the LTFRB.
In a pre-launching press conference yesterday, Delgra said the following new routes were approved for the modern jeepneys:
* Ceres bus terminal (via C1 road) to Oton, Iloilo (a new mall as end point)
* Pavia transport terminal (via Gorriceta Avenue) to Oton, Iloilo (a new mall as end point)
* Mohon Terminal (via C1 road) to Oton, Iloilo (a new mall as end point)
According to Delgra, 15 modern jeepneys will initially serve these new routes or five units for each of the three routes.
The operator of the modern jeepneys is Metro Express Connect, Inc.
Last month, operators and drivers opposed to the phaseout of old jeepneys bared an alternative – change their old diesel engines to the government-favored Euro 4 engine.
Euro 4 engines meet the European Union emission standards that limit the amount of harmful chemicals (such as toxic sulfur, benzene and carbon dioxide, etc.) emitted by motor vehicles.
Banding under the name Panay and Guimaras Alliance of Transport for Rehabilitation, the jeepney drivers and operators said changing old diesel engines is more reasonable than the government’s order to completely ban old jeepneys from the streets.
The group is seeking the support of local government units in this alternative being proposed.
Changing to Euro 4 engine will address air pollution, a concern that the proposed phaseout wants to address, too according to Edgar Salarda, coordinator of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) Panay, one of the conveners of the Panay and Guimaras Alliance of Transport for Rehabilitation.
“Small jeepney operators favor buying Euro 4 engines that cost between P250 thousand to P300 thousand – certainly more affordable than a modern jeepney unit that costs around P1.7 million,” said Salarda.
According to the transport alliance, jeepney drivers and operators are also willing to change the chassis of their units and conform to the design standards recommended by the government.
Aside from local government units, the alliance will also give copies of their proposed alternative to the Department of Transportation and LTFRB.
A jeepney phase out will economically displace a lot of drivers and their families, the alliance warned.
It also said the jeepney modernization as proposed by the government – buy a whole new unit – would result to an increase in the minimum fare between P15 to P20.
The jeepney started as remodeled army vehicles left behind by US forces after World War II, and became a showcase of Filipino ingenuity and resourcefulness. Mainly patronized by low- to middle-income passengers, it has become the core of Philippine public transport.
The government’s jeepney phaseout plan, the alliance added, is favorable only to moneyed jeepney operators and would likely result to a monopoly of the jeepney business./PN
