Drivers lament P2-million price tag for modern jeepney

The Department of Transportation on Tuesday advised drivers to band together to form a cooperative or corporation in order to be able to apply for government assistance to purchase the modern jeepneys that will replace the current ones on the road under the government's PUV modernization program.

Some drivers balked at the P2-million price tag for one of the new vehicles.

"Kung magkaka pera na kong malaki, kung tatama ka sa lotto, pwede pa. Pero kung sa pang sarili ko, sa ipon ko, hindi ako makakabili," jeepney driver Orlando Palad said in a report by Jun Veneracion in 24 Oras on Tuesday.

Palad bought his current jeepney in 1997 after saving up P60,000 for a secondhand vehicle.

According to the report, the DOTr said that by forming cooperatives the drivers can apply for government subsidies, including P80,000 of financial assistance, as well as loans from Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

"May mga nagrereklamo, mahirap daw, mahirap daw. Pero tanungin mo sila kung sinubukan na ba nilang mag-apply?" DOTr Undersecretary Mark De Leon said.

Several transport groups on Monday pushed through with a scheduled nationwide strike against the modernization of jeepneys.

"Very inconvenient yung ating public transportation. Pero kung gawin natin itong kumbinyente, safe, reliable, people will ride our public transportation system," De Leon said.

The new modern jeepney uses a more environmentally friendly euro 5 diesel engine, GPS, and a fare collection system.

The first to operate the modern vehicles is PM Jeepney, a corporation made up of members of the transport group Pasang Masda.

The PM Jeepneys boast air-conditioning, free internet, and a CCTV camera. "Naka aircon ito, kumbinyente. 'Yung po ating mga pasahero na papasok sa opisina sa umaga darating po sa kanilang opisina na fresh pa rin," said Pasang Masda vice president Jojo Martin said.

PM Jeepney had been able to buy units of the modern jeep for P1.8 million. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News