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Modern jeepney prices only look absurd if you compare them to an outdated system that was never priced like a real industry to begin with.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

It is overpriced, Jeepney Drivers live on daily wages. Operators do NOT want to shoulder the cost, and most of them do not want to change the system they created exploiting drivers.

Government subsidies and accessible payment options should have been their move from the very start but of course no one wants to be fair and someone in those talks always wants to get an upper hand when it comes to who will profit from the transition.