jeepney

The jeepney is a widely used form of public transportation in the Philippines. It originated in the postwar period, when surplus US military jeeps were repurposed by Filipino craftsmen. They lengthened the frame, added a bright, open rear passenger area and ornate metalwork, producing a practical, affordable vehicle that became a mobile canvas for local culture.

Most jeepneys accommodate about 14 to 20 passengers on two long benches inside a covered body, with a driver at the front and a conductor who collects fares. They run along fixed routes on city and rural roads, with fares paid upon boarding or through a pickup along the route. The engines are typically diesel or gasoline, using components from the original military jeeps.

Despite enduring popularity, jeepneys have faced regulatory and safety challenges. The government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program aims to replace aging jeepneys with newer, safer, more efficient vehicles, including electric models. Implementation has been gradual, involving financing, route allocation, and urban planning considerations, and has met varying levels of acceptance among operators.

Culturally, jeepneys are a familiar symbol of everyday life in the Philippines, renowned for vivid paint jobs, religious iconography, and decorative motifs. They are colloquially referred to as the king of the road and continue to play a central role in public transport, shaping urban life, local economies, and the country’s national identity.