Vehicles

Hey fellow adventurers! For this post I wanted to talk about two vehicles that the Philippines are known for: the jeepney and the motorized tricycle. Not being from the Philippines, these vehicles stood out to and intrigued me enough to make me want to learn more. I don’t know how safe they are but they’re very visually appealing.

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines and an iconic part of Filipino culture. Jeepneys were originally recycled from leftover U.S. military jeeps after WWII. However, since they’ve gained popularity, hundreds have been made from scratch. Known for their overcrowded seats and kitsch designs, jeepneys are the cheapest means of transport in the Philippines. If you want to read a more in depth piece, check out this article: https://blog.caranddriver.com/the-history-of-the-jeepney-the-philippines-mass-transit-solution/. Recently the government has been talking about phasing out jeepneys that are over fifteen years old because of environmental and safety concerns. However, that would mean almost every jeepney would need to be replaced. Both drivers and passengers are worried about the future of the iconic mini-bus. For more about the jeepney controversy, check out this article: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41632035.

Motorized tricycles, or tricycles, are a common means of public transportation in the Philippines. The tricycle is a three-wheeled, gasoline-run motorized vehicle attached to a sidecar with multiple seating and a covered roof. The roof is often used as a baggage compartment and when it rains, the drivers attach the sidecar sides with plastic. I wanted to talk about both of these vehicles not because I’m interested in cars (I’m really not) but because I love the way they look. The costs of tricycles are considerably cheaper than taxis, although slightly more than jeepneys.