American firm to deploy e-jeepneys in Cebu soon

CEBU, Philippines - US-based company Global Electric Transportation Limited that deployed electric jeepneys in Metro Manila is eyeing Cebu as the next city to have e-jeepneys plying the major thoroughfares in the metro.

In the Philippines, the mass transportation system is deemed outmoded because of the worsening traffic problem in the metropolis; and the rise in the number of private cars and the noisy jeepneys which produce toxic air pollutants.

These all have resulted to environmental degradation, social inequality and urban congestion which have impacted the quality of city life and worsen city conditions such as flooding and traffic jams.

For Anthony Dy, managing director of Global Electric Transportation Limited Company, major cities in the country, including Cebu, need concrete mobility solutions to address these current problems.

The use of electric jeepneys is one solution that the US-based firm is introducing in the Philippines -- initially in the country's capital -- to upgrade the transportation system, Dy said in an interview on the sidelines of the Energy Smart Cebu 2014 conference Thursday.

"We are initially deploying as much as e-jeepneys in Metro Manila and move eventually in Cebu," Dy said, noting the company is yet in its initial planning stage to start deploying the City Optimized Managed Electric Transport e-jeepneys in Cebu City soon.

At least 30 e-jeepneys are now deployed in Manila roads and are plying in specific routes. Dy asserted the firm is eyeing Cebu next.

When asked why Cebu is the next priority after Manila, Michael Raymond Gonzalez, GET's marketing director, said "yes, because there is interest and conversation (being done). In fact, we're now starting to study the Cebu routes. This is really designed for the urban area."

He also expressed that the electric transport system can well complement with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit system which is also designed to be a more efficient, safe and climate-friendly transit system.

During the energy forum, Lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap, Cebu Traffic Operations Management executive director, expressed optimism on the possible collaboration. The 23-kilometer BRT system is expected to address urban challenges such as air and noise pollution, traffic congestion and harmful gas emissions.

Green transport system

The GET said these battery-operated vehicles are set to replace some -- if not all -- of the conventional smoke producing public utility jeepneys.

Gonzalez explained that if the goal is really to shift into a "green" transport system, it is better to have diesel-fed PUJs replaced with battery-operated ones.

He said they have been talking with various PUJ operators to engage them in substituting the units of their existing jeepneys.

He added possible routes of the COMET cars in Cebu City have been being studied to find out how many vehicles will be needed.

"This business model tells that our drivers are still part of the solution. If you put yourself in their shoes, being a jeepney driver is not easy. They work 15 hours a day just to make ends meet," he said, explaining these COMET shuttles are operated through a tripartite agreement among the company, drivers and PUJ operators.

The company serves as the manufacturer and operator of e-jeepneys while PUJ operators remain as vehicle owners and franchise holders. Gonzalez explained the COMET units will be tracked using the global positioning system and monitored through a command center.

Paying for transport fare will be done using tap cards which can be reloaded in COMET terminals.

According to Gonzalez, e-jeepney drivers are guaranteed of minimum wage earnings and also bonuses depending on the total income of the route.

After talking with drivers associations and operators, Dy shared that they have realized the need to give drivers better earnings.

"We found out that all they wanted is really to earn money and so we came up with solutions to give them better returns," he said.  — Carlo S. Lorenciana (FREEMAN)