Creating world-class jeepneys for the modern Filipino
AT THE PhilBus Truck Expo, Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) presents itself as a worldclass company and, on a broader scale and purpose, all the trucks and bus manufacturers in the country who believe in the advancement of local motor vehicles.
The company is primarily engaged in the exclusive assembly and distribution of quality trucks and buses, distribution of genuine Hino spare parts, and the manufacture and distribution of other automotive-related products and services in the Philippines.
Its design capability enables it to create unique applications for its users, even strange configurations as specified by the owner.
Thus, in 2017, the government chose Hino as one of its partners in the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization (PUVM) program.
“From Day 1, we have been working with the Department of Transportation, not only in developing the concept, but in designing the units and body configurations,” said Hino Motor Philippines chairman Vicente Mills Jr. during the expo presscon.
“We also work with the Bureau of Product Standards who specify dimensions and other features that the modern jeepney is supposed to have. Again the idea here is to standardize certain within the certain range, not standardize the brands or models, but really make specification so that it leads to safety and comfort and which the government wants to install in public transport system.”
Recently, Hino handed 15 modernized jeepneys to Common Transport Service Cooperative, Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City. The jeepneys will ply the route from the Common Transport Service Terminal in Montalban, Rizal to Commonwealth Market in Quezon City via Litex Terminal.
Hino’s Class II modern jeepneys are Euro 4-compliant and air-conditioned but have side-facing seats, like the traditional jeepney. They can accommodate up to 19 passengers.
The spacious design can be further maximized to make room for seven more standing passengers.
These modernized jeepneys use the latest technology to guarantee safer travel and feature a speed limiter, GPS, CCTV, Beep card system and a dashboard-mounted camera.
Hino takes pride in being the only local one-stop-shop offering trucks and buses and services from engine to body to spare parts nationwide. Having passed the criteria of the Bureau of Product Standards, the Class II Hino modern jeepneys are built to elevate the commuting experience every Filipino deserves.
“It has always been our goal to be of service to transport cooperatives in need of modern transport technology. Hino is constantly on the lookout for opportunities in order to contribute to a more connected community by providing public transportation with sustainable development strategies. It is high time that Filipinos got the commuting convenience that they have long been promised. As we have always done in the past, Hino stays committed to providing Total Support in any way possible,” shared HMP president Mitsuharu Tabata.
Hino also joined the first nationwide modern PUV caravan in Clark, Pampanga, a joint undertaking of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) in cooperation with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Landbank of the Philippines, various industry associations and vehicle manufacturers, including HMP.
Around 30 legs of the modern PUV caravan are scheduled to be held nationwide until February 2020. The first phase of the caravan, which will run for the entire month of July until the first week of August, includes stopovers in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; San Fernando City, La Union; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Santiago, Isabela; Baguio City; Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; and Marilao City, Bulacan.
Mills expressed, “We are honored to be part of this meaningful program which seeks to gradually improve our national transportation system. It has always been our vision to see a more connected community where people and goods go where they need to go in the most efficient manner and we are positive that this effort brings us all closer to achieving that. HMP is committed and well-positioned to support this PUV modernization initiative and we all look forward to the opportunities that this will open up for our local transportation industry and its various stakeholders.”
For more information about HMP and its modern PUVs, please visit www.hino.com.ph or follow them on Facebook at fb.com/HinoMotorsPH/.