When Jeepney Meets Technology

Here in the Philippines, the jeepneys become the most popular mode of public
transportation because of its affordable fare and the convenience it brings to the commuters. This
type of vehicle were first created from a surplus Willy’s Jeeps, the basis for the design of the
Philippine jeepneys, in the mid-1940. It is considered as a passenger type vehicle that consists of
a two long parallel benches that are attached to the sides with a comfortable back support and an
open frame window that allows the passengers to view the beautiful sceneries that they will
encounter on the trip. In this type of vehicle, the passengers were facing each other in order to
accommodate more passengers. The size, length, and the passenger capacity of the jeepneys have
been increased as it evolved through the years. In the Philippines, the jeepneys are known to be as
the “King of the Road” because of its monstrous appearance and the powerful engine it has that
makes it conquer the road anywhere in the country. Also, it become the national image because it
represents the Filipino’s culture in a way of showing the Filipino’s hospitality through sharing a
ride with another in this unique type of public vehicle. This public transportation known as the
“King of the Road” is ingeniously derived from a vintage U.S. military jeep.

The jeepneys, as I have mentioned earlier in the text, can be found anywhere in the
Philippines because it is the common public transportation vehicle in the cities and even in the
provinces all over the country. It is known to be a transport-friendly because of its good body
chassis that can carry enough passengers and the powerful motor it has that has the ability tto
conquer different terrains in the Philippines. This type of public transportation has been evolved
through the years by improving its parts and adding some electronic devices like stereo
components and loud speakers, push buttons, roving and fog lights, electric fans, tweeters, buzzers,
and other fancy accessories for a hit-tech look that makes it unique from the other vehicles. The
jeepneys also represents the creativity of the Filipinos through its physical appearance were in we
can see different style of decorations that fits on the taste of the owner/operator. In our generation,
is this the time to change our traditional jeepneys into a modern one known as the E-Jeepneys? Is
this the best way to improve our transportation here in the Philippines? Well, let’s check this out
as I continue to discuss the importance and relevance of the jeepneys here in our country and the
issues that makes the King of the Road popular and trending.

The continuous development of our country in terms of economy leads to the

implementation of the “Jeepney Modernization Program” (also known as the “Phase-out
Program”). In the world of our transportation, this program become a big issue because it affects
many jeepney operators and drivers through the implementation of the new order. In this program,
it is expected that on the year 2020, those jeepneys that reached their 15 years of age will be no
longer to renew a franchise and by this, it will not be considered as a public transportation vehicle.
These 15 years of age jeepneys will be considered as a scrap and it will be replace by the E-
Jeepneys which is inclined to the standards of the European Union, U.S., and other Western
countries for the public transportation. E-Jeepneys are known to its powerful battery operated
engine unlike the traditional jeepneys which uses diesel in order to operate. This E-Jeepneys’
engine reduces the greenhouse gases that helps prevent the global warming. This type of
transportation vehicle have a specified size, length, and passenger capacity unlike the traditional
one that you can customize its parts. For the Government, the implementation of the Jeepney
Modernization Program is very helpful in improving the way of our transportation here in the
country and also in maintaining our environment clean and green because of the use of E-Jeepneys
which emits less greenhouse gases. The idea of our Government is good but think about first the
situation of our country. Is it good enough to implement this kind of program? Is this program
helpful to those Filipinos who only depends their life on the income of their jeepneys? Well, the
answer depends on the opinions of the Filipinos about the issue especially to those who are jeepney
operators and drivers.

The implementation of the said program leads to many protests and petitions of the jeepney
operators and drivers. For them, the Jeepney Modernization Program is not necessary to our
country because we are not rich as the other countries and many jeepney operators will not afford
the proposed new jeepneys which are estimated around 1.2 – 1.6 million pesos each. As we can
see, this program can lead to loss of businesses and jobs especially those who are jeepney operators
and drivers. In this case, many Filipinos will experience poverty because of lack of jobs and also
businesses especially those who are engaged in transportation services. This program can improve
the way of our transportation but not the lives of the Filipinos.

Jeepneys, as the main topic of this concept paper, can be divided into two types: the
traditional jeepneys and the modern jeepneys. These jeepneys have their own qualities which
makes them different from each other. These qualities have its effect to the commuters, road
systems, and environment. First of all, let us take a look to the qualities of the traditional jeepneys.
These jeepneys are known to its unique physical appearance and powerful engine which makes us
feel the pride of being a Filipino. The only thing that negates the use of it is its capability to release
a large amount of greenhouse gases which contributes to global warming. This is one of the reasons
why our Government proposed the modern jeepneys (known as the E-Jeepneys) and implemented
the said program. On the other hand, the modern jeepneys (E-Jeepneys) will be considered as the
jeepneys for the future. It is known for its modern parts like the tap-and-go card readers,
specifically Beep Cards, etc. This type of jeepney were proposed by our Government in response
to calls for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the fluctuations in oil prices. The only thing that
makes it ineffective is that it cannot assure its safety on the road. Since it is a battery operated
engine, it cannot assure that it can drive in different terrains like in steep hills, mud tracks, etc.
These jeepneys have its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to transportation services.
These qualities become the basis of our Government in implementing the said program.

Technology becomes an essential tool in our life because it makes our life easier and
comfortable. The transportation, as a part of our lives, has been also evolved through the years.
Through innovation, we discover new ideas and concepts which is helpful in solving our day-to-
day problems in easier way. Technology, as I mentioned, has been also a part in the world of
transportation. As we can see, through technology, our jeepneys becomes more effective when it
comes to transportation services. The traditional jeepneys and the modern jeepneys are simply the
same when it comes to public transportation vehicle. They only become differ in their qualities
and features. Here in the Philippines, jeepneys become a part of our history especially during the
World War II because it is the common vehicle in transporting soldiers who defending our nation.
As the years passes by, through innovations, the traditional jeepneys seems to become no sense at
all as the modern jeepneys (E-Jeepneys) have been proposed. Let us always remember that
technology has the power to preserve and maintain one’s own identity. The jeepneys, known as
the common public transportation vehicle, become the identity of the Filipinos that reflects our
history that have good memories.

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