Jeepney
Jeepneys are vehicles converted into minibuses with up to 14 seats - traditionally these were Willys - jeeps that the Americans had left behind after their departure from the Philippines . Jeeps are still being built in the Philippines. Jeepneys with their individual, mostly colorful paintwork are considered a typical Filipino means of transport. Years ago, the jeepneys were criticized for their exhaust fumes and the often poor technical condition.
history
When the US armed forces gradually left the Philippines after the end of the Second World War , they gave their now superfluous military jeeps to the local population. They converted the jeeps using steel girders so that more passengers could be transported with the jeepneys created in this way. In addition, the jeepneys were given a metal roof that provides shade. At the same time, they were often artistically painted and decorated (especially with religious motifs) and provided with shiny chrome hoods and wheel arches .
The jeepneys enjoyed great popularity as an inexpensive means of transport, as there was no local public transport after the end of the Second World War . In order to curb the unbridled growth of the past few decades, the government restricted vehicle registrations. Among other things, the drivers have a special driving license class, the Professional Driver's License possess leave a regular route and charge reasonable fares. In addition, the owners must park their vehicle in a designated garage on a specific day of the week, which can be seen from the color of the license plates.
In general, the following applies in the Philippines:
- Green license plate: Exclusively privately used vehicle
- Yellow Plate (buses, jeepneys, vans, motorcycles, tricycles ): Approved for passenger transport, often as a shared taxi in use
Today's jeepneys are professionally manufactured in Filipino factories. The decorations are often complemented by comic motifs.
etymology
Jeepney originated from the combination of the words jeep and jitney , a type of minibus or shared taxi in some countries.
Types and manufacturers
- Owner Jeeps,
the smaller version of the jeepney for 4–6 passengers for (predominantly) private use can also be assembled from individual parts by the owners themselves. There are dealers in all major cities who offer prefabricated parts such as the body (mostly stainless steel ) and frames.
The other parts (engine, axles, brakes, etc.) are acquired in used parts stores ("surplus shops") or dismantled from battle vehicles. The adaptation of non-matching parts takes place in special "machine shops" (workshops), where all parts can be changed on request and provided with different fits and threads. Some of these vehicles are finely crafted by hand with real wood dashboards, stereo systems with a large number of speakers and a battery of additional headlights (6–10 pieces).
Japanese vehicles have long been converted into jeepneys on the Central Philippine Islands. Diesel engines are also increasingly used here.
- Workshop manufacturer
There are currently two classes of jeepney builders in the Philippines. The "backyard mechanics" build one to five vehicles a month, fetch their material from a wreck of the established manufacturers and work with used drives and chassis from the scrap yard, usually with the diesel engine series 4BA of the Isuzu C240 or the Mitsubishi-Fuso -4D30 Engines, a further development of earlier Jeep drives.
- Series manufacturer
The second type of provider are volume manufacturers. There are two sub-groups: the PUJ (Bus Jeepney Builders) and the companies that press sheet metal parts on a large scale and also build complete vehicles.
In the past, jeepney manufacturers were mostly concentrated around Cebu City , Las Piñas and Cavite , but due to the decline in sales, many small companies have gone out of business. The largest manufacturer of self-made jeeps in the Philippines is David Motors Inc. in Quezon City, on the north side of the metropolitan area of Metro Manila. The largest manufacturer of vintage-style jeeps is MD Juan.
Passenger jeepneys are facing increasing restrictions and regulations to protect the environment because they pollute the roads and use a lot of fuel. A study published in a Metro Manila newspaper found that a 16-seat jeepney uses about the same amount of fuel as a 54-seat air-conditioned bus. With the major roads clogged with jeepneys driving around in search of passengers, there is increasing pressure to remove them from the streets of Manila and other cities.
The cost of a new Jeepney is rising due to the increased cost of materials for the oversized steel chassis and the need for new engines.
The Jeepney business in the Philippines is also fighting against cheaper imported used cars. Many manufacturers are switching to modern-looking jeepneys with a "Hummer" or Toyota front. The jeepney industry has changed a lot after 50 years with practically no changes since the turn of the millennium.
Other manufacturers are
- Mega (who also produce the Lanceta line of jeepneys in Lipa City),
- Malaguena (whose factory in Cavite was one of the first outside stops in the movie "The Amazing Race"),
- LGS Motors,
- Sarao (The most famous factory, in operation since 1953 and based in Las Pinas, produced around 20 vehicles per day in the 1970s; in 2016 it was a maximum of 2 per week.), And
- Armak (one of the largest)
The vehicle category has recently been on the decline as used vehicles from neighboring countries are being offered cheaper. However, due to their old construction and separate chassis, jeepneys are very easy to maintain and use for a long time.
See also
- Songthaeo , pickups converted into minibuses or flatbed trucks in Thailand and Laos
Individual evidence
- ^ Nostalgic Jeep descendants on Manila's streets , NZZ, May 7, 2016.
Web links
- Sarao Motors in the Philippines. In: cj3b.info. Retrieved on July 2, 2016 (English, Sarao on the homepage for the history of Willys MB ).
