Euro-4 jeeps tested in city
A PROTOTYPE Russian made Euro 4 compliant diesel engine public utility vehicle was recently tested in Baguio City for its effectiveness in plying the country’s Summer Capital.
This, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement of the gradual jeepney phase out for old public utility vehicles which failed to pass the stringent inspection done by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Bagong Jeep 1 Team representative Perfecto Itliong Jr. explained the testing is part of the study and survey of the transportation opera-
tion in the city which is part of the modernization measure of the present administration seeking to decrease the present smoke emissions by old PUV's.
“We want to find out through actual testing of this Euro 4 compliant engine vehicle if it can pass and negotiate the high terrain areas in the city for us to know if we would need another kind of vehicle suitable for Baguio. We will be evaluating our studies after this series of testing,” Iltiong said.
The Euro-4 engines for modern jeepneys have been specified by the LTFRB under the omnibus franchise which has a minimal smoke emission standard as compared to Euro-3 engines.
The Russian made Euro-4 compliant public transport vehicle tested in the city seats 28 passengers including the driver, with a minimum of eight additional standing passengers. The vehicle is also equipped with convenient handrails with request buttons and is fully air-conditioned.
Once finalized, at least 15 Euro-4 compliant jeepneys will soon ply the major routes in the city following the omnibus franchise for public utility vehicles.
“The initial 15 Euro4 units is set to be operated by Rey Bacoco of the Pines Garage and Quezon Hill Jeepney Drivers Association president Johnny Lee, who both underwent a fleet management course to prepare them on how to manage and operate a fleet of PUV's," Itliong explained. The fleet management course instructs would be operators on the process of employee management, accounting, collecting, dispatching and maintenance of the Euro-4PUV's.
“This testing is timely for the city to undergo with the change since the government has assured support for those wanting to change their units to the specifications of the LTFRB under the omnibus franchise law," Itliong added.