LTO to roll out solar jeepneys in Metro Manila

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday inspected electric solar jeepney units that will be deployed in Metro Manila in compliance with the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program. (Photo: Land Transportation Office/Facebook)

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday inspected electric solar jeepney units that will be deployed in Metro Manila in compliance with the government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

The solar powered jeepneys have passed the specifications and standards set by the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) according to Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) president Orlando Marquez.

The e-jeepneys intend to traverse the routes of Ayala-Buendia-SM Mall of Asia to the Southwestern Integrated Transport Terminal in Paranaque City once its operation starts, a Radyo Pilipinas report said.

These units will also pass through the stations of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Philippine National Railways in the southern and western parts of Metro Manila.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has recently signed an agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for a PHP1.5 billion financing program to assist transport corporations and cooperatives to allow smooth transition to modern public transport vehicles.

Local manufacturers are currently building the prototype design of the new PUVs which are based on the Philippine National Standards.

The Philippine National Standards stipulates that PUVs should accommodate at least 22 passengers with some seated and others standing. Notable design changes include moving the entrance from the rear to the right side of the vehicle and replacing the side-facing seats with front-facing seats equipped with seat belts.

The PUV modernization program aims to phase out at least 200,000 jeepneys which are 15 years and older and upgrade them through a low carbon and low emission technology.