The King of the Road

The jeepney is often called the "King of the Road" in the Philippines. After World War II, many American military jeeps were left behind. Filipinos lengthened these vehicles, added roofs and long benches, and turned them into public transportation. Over the years, jeepneys became famous for their bright colors, shiny decorations, and painted names and pictures, making each one unique. For millions of commuters, the jeepney is an affordable way to travel. Passengers simply wave to stop one, climb in at the back, and pass their fare to the driver through the other passengers. When they want to get off, they say "Para po!" However, many old jeepneys use outdated engines that produce heavy smoke and pollute the air. They also lack safety features found in newer vehicles. For these reasons, the government has introduced a program to replace old units with modern vehicles that are cleaner and safer. Some drivers and operators worry about the high cost of new vehicles, so the issue continues to be widely discussed.