MANILA, Philippines – Two electricity-powered jeepneys or e-jeepneys began plying a set route in Makati City yesterday, part of a two-month pilot test run to fine tune their adaptability as a commercial public transport.
The e-jeepneys, presented to the public last July 4 by the Makati City government, Green Independent Power Producer (GRIPP) and Greenpeace, will be picking up passengers in Bel-Air Village and unloading them at Rockwell Center and vice versa.
This is the first public route to be used by the e-jeepneys which offer free rides to commuters.
Greenpeace-Southeast Asian and GRIPP officials, however, criticized the Land Transportation Office for the delay in the issuance of the vehicles’ registration papers.
In a statement, Greenpeace said the e-jeepneys’ route was limited to private roads as the LTO has not yet classified the vehicle.
The LTO said it must first get a certification from the Department of Science and Technology on the specifics of the e-jeepneys before it can formulate the rules on registering this type of vehicle.
GRIPP and Greenpeace called on concerned government agencies to fast track the classification and registration of the electric jeepneys and to create the right regulatory framework and environmental policy so that the vehicles could start plying commercial routes.
“The climate problem exacerbates urban environmental challenges for our cities. The national government should take this seriously and heed the international scientific community’s findings that governments should quickly find and implement climate solutions of which the e-jeepney is an example,” said Jasper Inventor, a climate and energy campaigner of Greenpeace.
Inventor said Makati had shown leadership by pioneering projects that address air pollution and climate change.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he was “very optimistic” about the e-jeepneys’ test phase and that the vehicles would soon become a common sight in the city.
“The e-jeepneys will offer a cheaper fuel alternative to jeepney drivers while creating a positive impact in the city’s air quality,” he added.
Tags: E-Jeep, Environment, Local Governments, Technology
