The Jeepney of the Future Could Come Air-Conditioned With WiFi
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has released photos of what could be the next generation of our country's public utility vehicles.
The prototype was designed by Toyota Motor Philippines Inc. (TMPI). It is the same model as its Hilux pickup, but with a modified body that could seat 12 passengers. This is a departure from the common jeepney, which has a capacity of 22 passengers, with 10 on each side and two next to the driver.
According to the DOTr, the vehicle prototypes are fully air-conditioned, equipped with GPS and a WiFi connection, and can accommodate persons with disabilities. On top of these features, the vehicles are all Euro-4 compliant, which means they have less carbon emission.
“The Toyota Hilux Class 1 modern PUVs will be TMPI’s bet for the government’s push toward the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program,” the DOTr said in a Facebook post. The modernization program aims to totally phase out all dilapidated jeepneys and old UV Express shuttles that still ply the roads across the country.
In the past, militant groups branded the modernization program as “anti-poor,” alleging that modern jeepneys would cost more than P2 million. For this particular prototype, however, the DOTr said that each unit would only cost P998,000.
