BEEP electric jeeps may ply Manila roads this November

 

 

A new kind of jeepney called the BEEP—short for "Bagong Jeep"—is targeted to operate in Metro Manila streets this November.

 

In a report in News to Go, the features of the new vehicle set to replace the jeepneys, hailed as "king of the streets," were shown. The most notable aspect of the BEEP is its environment-friendly features.
 

The BEEP's lead-acid rechargeable battery, can go for up to 120 km and takes 8 hours to fully top up. Overall, it is touted to run more quietly than a regular diesel-powered jeep and has a lighter environmental impact.

 

The European model of the BEEP boasts a faster engine, but the Asian model is more affordable.

 

"This is a private sector initiative," said Atty. Vigor Mendoza, Chairman of 1Team. "Bottomline dito, pagandahin ang buhay nga ating mga kasamahan, at the same time, tumulong sa issue ng environment. Kasi ang jeepney, ang tinutukoy nila, mausok."

 

Although it lacks the colorful designs that highlight the skill and showmanship of Filipinos, the BEEP has the same seating capacity as the original jeepney. There is no change in the fare that commuters have to pay, but the payment will be processed electronically.

 

The drivers of the BEEP will have fixed wages, starting from P28,000 per month. They will not have to rely on the boundary system, which is applied to the current jeepney operation, the report said.

 

Under the boundary system, drivers hired to run the jeepneys pay the owner a boundary fee for the use of the unit.

 

Chairman Atty. Mendoza clarified in the report that the BEEP will be replacing jeepneys, and will not be considered a separate franchise.

 

"Ang ating modelo, ayaw nating ng bagong prangkisa," Mendoza said. "Ang gusto lang natin papalitan ang mga luma, tanggalin natin sa daan at papalitan ng bago, para di na tayo makapagdagdag ng sasakyan sa daan."

 

Presently, the BEEP has not begun its operations but authorities may start replacing old jeeps as early as this month. The start of the BEEP's operations are set to be in November, in time for the arrival of leaders of other countries for the APEC Summit.

 

"Simula itong buwan na ito, magsisimula na tayo mag-dropping ng substitution hanggang maubos natin iyong lahat ng mga jeepney na nasa ilalim ng ating single management system," Mendoza said.

 

The BEEP is estimated to cost as much as P600,000-700,000 per unit. 

 

However, if the manufacturing has to be outsourced from outside the country, the cost would increase to P1.6M each unit. — Jessica Bartolome/TJD/JJ, GMA News