The program has
initially deployed 45 solar-powered jeepneys supplied by the Star8 Green
Technology Corp.
The jeepneys cover the Tacloban-Palanog route intended to improve accessibility to resettlement sites occupied by thousands of super typhoon Yolanda.
The jeepneys cover the Tacloban-Palanog route intended to improve accessibility to resettlement sites occupied by thousands of super typhoon Yolanda.
“This is the program
that we cannot give up on. Many administrations have tried, but never got the
first base because this is a large scale transformation. We are not just making
repairs, we are overhauling the fleet, the system, the industry and the
institution,” Assistant Secretary Mark Richmund de Leon said.
The solar jeepneys,
designed to replace the aging combustion engine fleet, have been operating in
the city since mid-December.
Each unit can carry
20 passengers with free WiFi onboard, overhead electric fan per passenger, and
USB power port per passenger to charge their devices.
It has a capacity to
travel approximately 100 kilometers on a full battery charge, and adding
another 10-15km from the solar production during daylight hours.
“Dignified commuting
experience is what we want to achieve. We want our drivers to be proud of their
job and commuters to be happy and safe in their riding experience,” said de
Leon during the launch at the Rizal Park here.
The e-jeepney will
address the serious problem of air pollution in urban areas largely caused by
dilapidated jeepneys, said the DOTr official.
“The PUV
Modernization Program is long overdue. Past administrations have long wanted to
modernize transportation, but every time people wave flags saying that the
program is anti-poor, we take a step back. Hence, the present sorry state of
our road transportation. This has to stop,” de Leon said.
The Development Bank
of the Philippines earlier announced a PHP1.5 billion loan to finance the
acquisition of new PUVs to qualified prospective borrowers.
Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III said the program
will address the public transportation system concern in the city’s relocation
sites where thousands of people have to wait for hours to get to the commercial
district from their new homes.
“After we heard the
mobility concerns of relocated families, we thought of piloting the
environment-friendly public transportation system in this city,” Delgra said.
More than 8,000
families have been moved from danger zones to relocation sites in the northern
part of the city, creating huge demand for public transportation. (SQM/PNA)
No comments:
Post a Comment