‘King of the Road’ undergoes high-tech transformation

Romeo Cauilan, a public transport driver for over two decades, has no idea what he will do when the government phases out his 24-year-old jeepney, the gaudy vehicle known as “the king of the road” in the Philippines.The smoke-belching, diesel engine-powered jeepney has long been the backbone of public transportation in the Philippines, moving passengers, produce and other cargo everywhere in the country.Earlier this year, the government launched a six-year programme to retire jeepneys that are at least 15 years old and replace them with mini-buses that run on electricity or with engines that produce less toxic emissions.Cauilan’s jeepney, which he christened Sammy after one of his children, will be among the vehicles that would be barred from the road by 2021.“There’s no doubt the modernisation programme is good,” said the 68-year-old father of four adult children as he waited for passengers near Manila’s port district.”But I don’t think I can afford to buy those new jeepneys. For now, I’ll continue driving my Sammy until they tell me to stop.”There are currently more than 240,000 jeepneys registered nationwide, including 70,000 in the capital of Manila.Transport authorities estimated over 100,000 more unregistered jeepneys are running around the country.Leonardo Sarao, a mechanic and a horse-drawn carriage driver, built the iconic vehicles from military jeeps left behind by the Americans after World War II.Sarao stretched the jeep’s body to accommodate two parallel vinyl benches for passengers, sitting face-to-face, knee-to-knee.He added a metal roof for shade, placed a door at the back for easy access, and put railings on the sides and top for more passengers to cling on to or for cargo.In 1955, the first jeepney rolled out from Sarao’s auto shop, which he opened with an initial capital of 700 pesos ($13) loaned from his in-laws and friends.The first jeepney was painted red, decorated with yellow plastic strips on all sides and had a silver horse figurine on the hood.Ventilation came from the back door and the open windows on both sides“My father saw the need to mechanise public transport and that was his solution,” said Ed Sarao, son of Leonardo, who took over jeepney manufacturer Sarao Motors IncWhile the jeepney’s classic look has not changed over the decades, the decorations have become more gaudy and personal.Some drew portraits of their loved ones, pets or fictional characters on the sides, while others added passages from the Bible or favourite quotes.Popular maxims include “Basta driver, sweet lover” (If he’s a driver, he’s a sweet lover) or “God knows Hudas not pay” (God knows who does not pay). At Sarao Motors, every jeepney is handmade and custom-built to a customer’s liking, said Ed Sarao.“One unit takes 60 to 90 days to complete,” he said.”Our jeepneys are like tailor-made suit...built to last a long time.”In its heyday, Sarao Motors was making up to 300 units per year, but recently production has declined to an average of 40 annual units due to competition.In January, Sarao Motors inked a deal with an electric vehicle manufacturer to produce jeepneys powered by electric motors as the company ride on the modernisation programme in a bid to boost sales.“We will still make the traditional jeepneys. The Filipinos’ love affair with the jeepney will be forever. It’s like the Harley Davidson, the look does not change,” Ed Sarao said.Roberto Cruz, deputy general manager of PHUV Incorporated, a company that pioneered assembling electric vehicles in the Philippines, said the new designs of the jeepney aim to make the ride safer and more comfortable.With a wider and taller body, the new jeepney allows for a bigger space for passengers to sit or stand inside.The door is moved to the side and the vehicle will have GPS, a CCTV monitor, Wi-Fi connection and even air-conditioning.“It’s going to be good for the environment and local business, and safe and convenient for the riding public,” Cruz said.“We will fix the chaos in the streets so that it will not be a free-for-all,” he added, noting that the programme also entails identifying routes specifically for jeepneys and other public utility vehicles to ease road congestion.Rogelio Castro, 58, who owns a 31-year-old jeepney, said he hopes the programme will improve the public transport system.“Of course we all want change,” he said.”But I don’t like the new style. They look like flat-nosed trucks. You can’t call those jeepneys. It doesn’t have the Filipino brand.”