On jeepney phase-out and modernization

Are we ready to let go of the jeep?

The jeep that is the symbol of ingenuity right from its birth, carved from abandoned US army jeeps to become the king of public transportation all over the country. The jeep that gave birth to the local auto industry with Lawin Motors and Sarao Jeepneys, and to a wide array of creative jeep designs and karatulas and catchphrases.

But there is no room for sentimentality, nor room for the working class driver. Modernization is in. The global economy dictates we move forward and the Lawin and Sarao are the casualties. Climate change also prompts us to do something with the old jeepneys sputtering with fumes and the multicab jeeps that leave commuters cramped and cooked.

Thus, the jeep has to go. Government plans to phase-out the jeeps to be in with the times of a modern public transport system, such as the electronic-jeep, where engines which passed European standards and with perks such as Wi-Fi and even airconditioning.

It seems like a good idea. But that is the contention of this week’s two day strike joined by almost all public transport groups and federations against the proposed phase-out and modernization.

This seems divisive if one does not study the facts and arguments from both sides. Be it said, the issue of replacing the jeeps with a better public transport system is actually welcomed by the jeepney drivers. Davao’s group Transmision-Piston said that a good public mass transport system is one of the ideals that will benefit all. Even drivers would enjoy driving a bigger vehicle that protects passengers and themselves from the elements all day long.

But the drivers raise an important question, who pays for the modern jeep? These models are priced around P1.4 million. That’s the price of a pricey Montero, Innova or Navara. Now, think how the working class driver or operator could pay for that. Even with the government’s seven-year payment plan plus a subsidy of P80,000, the driver has to worry about paying P19 thousand a month for the next seven years. His take home pay now is around 500 to 100 pesos a day. But with a new jeep, he has to shell out P600 a day, now how much does he have left to feed his family?

Another issue worrying the drivers is that the phase-out will displace the livelihood of around 600,000 jeepney drivers nationwide. Even the modern jeeps could not absorb everyone into their system.

The thing is, modernization in our context comes with a price, at the expense of the working class drivers and operators, and even the working class and student commuters who have to brace for a huge fare hike with modern jeeps.

With these concerns, shouldn’t government come up with a better plan to address concerns of all stakeholders, commuters and drivers alike. Can’t the country learn from other countries that fully subsidize their public transport system?

The thing is, modernization has to be made not at the expense of the poor losing their jobs or their money, or even losing our iconic king of the road.