Kuya Mark's thoughts on Jeepney Modernization
Mark goes out in the morning to Manila to begin his daily routine of filling his jeep with passengers and drives them until Lawton, Manila. When asked about the modernization of jeepneys, he says, “Dati sabi nila sasama lang sa operatiba na tinatawag nilang consolidation. Tapos papalitan lang nila ng unit na mas bago pero ang nangyayari ngayon…bumili sila ng napaka daming unit sa China tas gusto nila ipapalit namin yung unit namin.”
A portrait of a jeepney driver along Libertad station.
He then goes in depth about how difficult it would be for jeepney drivers across the country to pay off their debt for the potential “newer” units. “Kunwari halaga nung unit is three million, siguro itong jeep namin halaga lang nito ay nasa 200,000. Ngayon may utang pa kami…kaya maraming may-ayaw,” Mark explains.
When asked about further updates regarding the modernization, he says that he’s unaware of any progress regarding the matter.“Hindi ko lang po sigurado eh kasi yun din ang sinasabi ng PISTON (Pinagkaisahang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) kaya sila mag i-strike sa Lunes ng tatlong araw pero saamin isang araw lang,” he shares with us.
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