Piston held a two-day transport strike against the government for its plan to phase out jeepneys in the country. Jeepney is perhaps one of the pride of the country because back in the days they found ingenuity. It was a modification from jeeps that were sold or given by the American troops to Filipino when they left Philippines.
From the old look of Jeep, a 4-5 seater became a 20-22 seater jeepney and a mass transport in the entire country for decades. For at least 70 decades, the country became contented with this mass transport vehicle. The masses may like to seat in comfortable seat but they can't because this is only what the jeepney operators has to offer.
Piston, one of the biggest organizations of jeepney drivers and operators opposes the proposed modernization by the government as it will cost them 1 million.
Here are some of the features of these new design jeeps,
Change is costly but if we do not want sacrifice for a change, we will always be at the same place.
Question is, are we ready to accept the changes in our jeeps?
Source : DOT . Credits to DOT |
From the old look of Jeep, a 4-5 seater became a 20-22 seater jeepney and a mass transport in the entire country for decades. For at least 70 decades, the country became contented with this mass transport vehicle. The masses may like to seat in comfortable seat but they can't because this is only what the jeepney operators has to offer.
Credits / Source: US Jeepney |
As a commuter, we acknowledge what the Piston's side but I agree with the transportation expert Primitivo Cal that this modernization is "long overdue" and we deserve a better system.
The new design has a lot of feature that are commuter friendly. The seat is not like its predecessor that makes commuters hits or almost hit each other's knee because of the crowded seating. You'll be unlucky if you are seated to the innermost of the jeep and you have to go down by getting through that legs.
Netizens are divided by this proposed modernization on PUV or jeepneys in particular. Most of the commuters agree to it as they want to experience the best for them. Of course netizens who do not agree with modernization are coming from jeepney drivers and operators.
With regards to the cost of the modern jeeps, the government offers a loan scheme for the operators and its cooperatives to avail the new design.
Credits to Rappler. |
Here are some of the features of these new design jeeps,
- more environment-friendly
- powered with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs
- equipped with safety features
- speed limiter, closed-circuit television camera (CCTV), GPS, and dashboard camera
- 22-passenger seating capacity (excluding driver)
- equipped with PWD-friendly
Those are only few of them. As a commuter, who doesn't want that? Come on! Jeepney has been around for decades and we can't see any ingenuity anymore in that.
Change is costly but if we do not want sacrifice for a change, we will always be at the same place.
Question is, are we ready to accept the changes in our jeeps?