Jeepney - hari ng daan

Jeepney - king of the road
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This country is famous for having jeepneys used in public transportation. Jeepneys originated from post-WW2 US jeeps, modified to carry several passengers, and then each made unique by adding loud speakers and bright Pinoy art expressions.

Known Facts
1. As of July 2009, minimum fare is P7 for the 1st 4km. Increments of P0.50 follow after every 1km.
2. Most jeepneys that ply the streets are not airconditioned. The few airconditioned ones are often used for tourism or just within the central business districts.
3. There are several jeepney variants with different seat capacities; however, the usual Metro Manila jeepneys carry at least 13 passengers including the driver. The front row seats 3 (driver + 2 passengers). At the back of the driver seat are two rows of 5 passengers each facing the other. Jeepneys used in the province are often bigger in size and capacity and are designed for more rugged terrains.

4. There is an entrance - but no door. There are usually no glass windows too (except for the windshield infront). Rolled-up plastic along the sides are rolled-down to protect the passengers from the rain.

Only in the Philippines
1. Unlike public transportation elsewhere, jeepney drivers allow passengers to get in the vehicle and select a seat without first paying the fare. Passengers pay the fare while the the vehicle is in motion which is not so bad except that often it is also the driver who collects the fare.

2. Passengers usually pay the fare by saying "bayad po" (this is my fare payment) and request other passengers seated near the driver to forward their fare to the driver. The driver receives the payment, computes for the change, and with one hand on the wheel (the free hand with the change), extends his free hand at his back and says "sukli po" (this is the change). As is customary, the passengers nearest the driver gets this change and asks fellow passengers nearby to forward the change until it gets to the owner.

3. You may be thinking, and the answer is Yes - fare collection is done in trust. Since people come and go, it is very difficult to tell who did or did not pay and also if the passenger paid the proper fare amount. There is often this funny jeepney interior decor that says "God knows Judas not pay" (read: God knows "who does" not pay).

4. Passengers before they alight tell the driver "para po sa tabi" (I need to alight please at the nearest stop) or nowadays just "para po" (please stop). Unfortunately, sans common sense, most jeepney drivers are just to happy to quickly oblige (stopping almost immediately, allowing passengers to alight even if not yet at the rightmost lane, swerving to the righmost lane and stopping in between two lanes diagonally, etc) at the expense of other road users.

5. Jeepney drivers along with most other public transports including taxis, often do not follow basic road rules and safety measures. Some even do not turn the headlights on at night - to save fuel.

6. Oh, and yes, there are designated jeepney stops - but they are never used. Drivers stop to fetch passengers as they please often swerving lanes in top speed to get the waiting passenger faster than the other jeeps. Passengers also get in and alight wherever they please.

Tips

1. Jeepneys are fun, cheap, and faster (at least compared to airconditioned buses) but be wary of occassional pickpockets and stickups especially very late at night and on routes outside the busy areas of Metro Manila.

2. Wear light, comfortable clothing unless you applied antiperspirant all over

3. Please bring coins or small bills for paying your fare especially in the morning - a lot of drivers, with good reason, are annoyed when you pay P100, P500, or P1000 bills for a single P7 fare.

4. The usual Filipino size no longer applies, and so some jeepneys who were previously designed to seat 6 on a row finds that it can now only seat 5 (thank you bigmacs). Also sometimes, ugly bullies open their legs wide and pretend to sleep to discourage other passengers from seating closer. If you cant seat comfortably, and are not in a hurry, do not be pressured, go down without paying, and just wait for the next one.

5. If you are a lady and your office skirt is particularly short, please try to wear them at the office already.

6. Smoking is prohibited on public areas including public transportation, watch the jeepney driver when the policeman is not looking. You can try to talk him out of it - good luck.

/pnt