Makati launches e-jeepneys
By Christine Joy De Sotto Castor
and Therese Romaine Nalangan Rustia

DURING THE LAUNCHING of electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys) at the Ayala Center on July 4, City Mayor Jejomar Cabauatan Binay of Makati expressed his optimism on their impact on the city’s air quality.

Accompanied by Mr Von Hernandez, Greenpeace campaign director; Mr Robert Puckett, Solar Electric Corporation (Solarco) representative; and Mrs Athena Ballesteros, Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (Gripp) chairman; Mayor Binay drove one of the two e-jeepneys from the Ayala Avenue to the Glorietta Park at the Ayala Center.

Described as an “innovative project that will empower an environment-friendly public transport system and will utilize energy from biodegradable wastes from wet markets, food establishments, and numerous households,” the two e-jeepneys will have a three-month test drive period.

Acknowledging Gripp, Solarco, and Greenpeace, Mayor Binay said that the e-jeepneys are prime examples of positively engaging private sectors in achieving the goal of cleaner air for our cities.

Mr Biminindo Jose, Unified Transport Federation of Makati president, said that since e-jeepneys do not emit smoke, respiratory health problems of public utility drivers would be lessened.

In a meeting with Gripp, Solarco, and Greenpeace officials and engineers, Mr Jose said that they fully support the test drive being conducted by the city government for e-jeepneys.

Running on batteries that can run 120 km on a single charge of eight hours, the 12-seater e-jeepney costs PhP500 000 each.

Binay furthered that e-jeepneys—belching nothing, making no noise, and having a high headroom, comfortable seating, and large windows—represent the future of road travel in the financial capital, the City of Makati.

A venture of Gripp, which sprang up from Greenpeace and other groups, and Solarco, which is in turn a part of Gripp, the e-jeepney campaign is a part of the Gripp’s Climate-friendly Cities Project, a multi- pronged program for mitigating climate change that promotes transport and waste management initiatives through renewable energy-based technology.

“The e-jeepney will change the way we ride, drive, and experience transportation that has become so much a part of being a Filipino,” Puckett said.