E-jeeps to debut with free rides in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - To mark their debut in Makati City, the first locally made electric jeepneys (e-jeeps) will offer free rides to the public in their first week of operation starting Tuesday. A statement on the Makati City website said the jeeps will mainly service office employees in both Legazpi and Salcedo Villages in Makati. "For the first week of operation, the e-jeepneys will ferry passengers for free," it said. In Salcedo Village, the e-jeep's route will be from Dela Costa St. turn right to Makati Ave., right to Paseo De Roxas, right to Villar St., left to Leviste St, left to Rufino St., right to Ayala Ave. and right to Dela Costa St. At Legazpi Village, the route will be from Salcedo St. turn right to VA Rufino St., left to Adelantado St., left to Gamboa St., left to Salcedo St., left to Benavidez St., left to Paseo De Roxas Ave., right to Legazpi St., left to Dela Rosa St., and left to Salcedo St. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the two new e-jeepneys were manufactured by the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP). The first four units were made in China, he said. He said the e-jeeps got permission by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ply commercial routes last month. The jeeps were first presented to the public in July 2007. Binay said the e-jeepneys from MVPMAP will augment the two e-jeepneys on a test-run in Barangay Bel-Air. If viable, Binay said Makati will consider fielding 50 e-jeepneys in the city's streets. The city government and private sector partners GRIPP and Greenpeace are also discussing ways to encourage jeepney drivers and operators to switch from regular jeepneys to e-jeepneys. "Loans and financial assistance packages are being considered," the city government said. For his part, Department of Public Safety (DPS) director Hermenegildo San Miguel said the e-jeepneys' daily operations will be from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. "We look forward to seeing how well the e-jeepneys will perform as an alternative means of public transport. We are beginning with four units and expect to have six more delivered and ready for use soon," San Miguel said. The city of Makati is pushing for environmental awareness and hopes the use the electric jeepneys will be another step towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment. "In Makati, we have started with the electric jeepneys in the hope that when it becomes commercially viable it will address the problems of rising fuel costs, promote the use of alternative fuels and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming," Binay said. - GMANews.TV