Riding the Philippines Jeepneys

Room for One More – Riding the Philippine's Jeepneys
By Henry Bateman

The Philippines is renowned for its multi-coloured, highly decorated jeepneys. But after about 10 minutes in the country, you realize that these are the exception. Officially referred to as PUJs, the majority are drab utilitarian vehicles with route details as their major decoration and more often than not belching black smoke.

That being said, they are the back bone of the public transport system as they career down major thoroughfares and side streets playing tag with each other. The first jeep gets the passengers.

Holding on average up to 20 passengers, 2 up front next to the driver and 18 in the back seated on benches running down the sides. It is not uncommon to see an extra body on the outside hanging onto the back waiting for someone to alight so they can move inside, although these passengers do tend to be young and male.

Jeeps stop and start at their passenger’s whim, apart from their start points, where they will sit until they have a full load. There are no designated stops, to get off you shout “para” or knock on the roof or both. To hail a jeep, you need to attract the driver’s attention.