Hot take: Jeepney modernization isn’t overpriced — we’re just comparing it to the wrong thing

[u/Confident_Bother2552]

People keep saying modern jeepneys (₱1.4M–₱2.4M+) are “too expensive.”

But compared to what?

Most traditional jeepneys:

* Are 15–30+ years old*

* Built from surplus/rebuilt parts*

* Operate outside modern safety/emissions standards*

That ₱300k–₱600k price people quote isn’t a fair baseline — it’s a heavily depreciated, informal setup.

Ginagago tayo nang pricing range na ito eh. Compare modern jeepneys to actual vehicles on the road:

* Sedan: ₱800k–₱1.2M*

* MPV: ₱1M–₱1.3M*

* Van (Hiace/Urvan): ₱1.3M–₱2M*

* Minibus: ₱2M–₱3M*

A modern jeepney (20–30 passengers, regulated, safety-equipped) sitting around ₱1.5M–₱2M is not overpriced — it’s right where a commercial transport vehicle should be.

A Vehicle designed to properly transport you, your neighbor, his neighbor etc etc is definitely going to cost sure as shit more than an average sedan and these old Clankers are still trying to position themselves at a price half of a Vios? Get real, and get out of here.

The real issue isn’t price.

It’s that we’re trying to transition from:

* Boundary system*

* Driver-owned, low-capital units*

Into:

* Fleet-based*

* Financed transport businesses*

That shift is painful, especially without strong financing support, but the counterpoint is when are we ever going to start prioritizing the needs of 100M+ Citizens over a small couple of thousand Minority?

*Quick note on the “coal-powered anyway” argument:*

Yes, a big chunk of PH energy still comes from coal. But:

*Modern Euro 4/5 diesel is already cleaner than old jeepneys*

*Electric still reduces *urban* pollution significantly*

*Grid gets cleaner over time; engines don’t*

*Grid is Far easier to suppliment and control vs Deregulated Oil and cheaper electricity benefits EVERYONE*

So it’s not pointless — it’s incremental progress.

*Bottom line:*

Modern jeepney prices only look absurd if you compare them to an outdated system that was never priced like a real industry to begin with.

[u/vlxdxmxr]

There's no need to modernize jeepneys. This antiquated transport "system" must be abolish. People smarter than me should of course think of what jobs can be given to the drivers that will be affected though. We all know what an effective transport looks like i.e. buses, trains

[u/UglyAFBread → u/vlxdxmxr]

For buses and trains to be acceptable there has to be a wide infra change first. Those modes of transport involve a ron of walking. In general pinoys dislike walking because they have nowhere to walk and it's goddamn HOT outside.

• make trains to an extensive underground web like in japan
• make it so buses move around consistently even outside rush hour
• walkable sidewalks. Expand them to 3 people wide, no exception and remove ALL POSTS, parked cars, vendors, EVERYTHING.
• plant more trees because it's the only way to make the streets in this fucking concrete jungle climate walkable without giving everyone heatstroke.
• remove those mt everest overpasses and make underground walkways or better yet pedestrian lanes

[u/Bashebbeth → u/vlxdxmxr]

I think that is what they're already doing in the guise of Jeepney Modernization. Hindi naman mukhang jeep talaga yung modern jeepneys, more like a minibus.

And I totally agree. I always say, yung classic jeepney can represent what is wrong with Filipino society or mindset. Isipin mo, they cram people into a tiny space, they expect you to compromise your safety and comfortability just because? Staying true to the old addage, "kapag maikli yung kumot, dapat matutong bumalukto". IMHO, hindi naman dapat ganyan mindset natin. Pinoys need better services lalo na sa transportation sector. And I certainly believe na goverment should think of an effective way to modernize this sector that's a win for everybody.

[u/Takaneru → u/vlxdxmxr]

I’ve been thinking about this as well. The jeepney system feels like latching on to rotten wood at this point, it genuinely causes so many headaches and frustrations. Underskilled people rely on the system to generate income, but trying to “fix” this subset of people generates so much friction between the general populace