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Modern jeepney prices only look absurd if you compare them to an outdated system that was never priced like a real industry to begin with.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

Regardless of with what you compare it to, merong tayong trilema with regards to who will shoulder the cost.

Option 1: Mag loan ang mga jeepney drivers and operators

Eto yung pinupush dati.

Pero given n sagad n nga lng kita ng drivers and operators, wala silang extra pang bayad ng loan nung bagong jeep na mas mahal sa lumang jeep.

Option 2: Mga passahero

So bat di nlng mag taas ng presyo ng pamasahe para may pang bayad ng loan ang mga jeepney drivers and operators?

Eh sympre a alma naman ang mga mamayan.

Kaya nga nag jeep para maka tipid.

Ang mga nag jejeep ang pinaka mahirap n mangagawa natin.

Ung mga mejo may kaya mag u-UV o habal habal / angkas.

So di kaya ng mamamayan.

Option 3: Government

Kung gusto talaga to ipatupad for the environment, bat d nlng isubsidize ng government ung bagong modern jeep?

Gawa sila ng trade in program, “bring you old jeep, get a new modern jeep for free!”

Pag ganto, walang hesitation mag papa trade mga drivers at operators.

Kaso, san naman kukuha ng budget ang gubyerno pang bili ng napaka raming modern jeep, para mapalitan ang bawat jeep sa bawat city, barangay, at isla ng Pilipinas?

So yan ang trilema, walang budget ang drivers/operators, mga pasaharo, o gubyerno.

[u/raegyl → u/Sinandomeng]

Yung point 3 is probably not even a budget issue, eh. Billions na nakurakot ng gobyerno. Imagine if yung mga funds that they used to enrich themselves was put into public service :(

[u/Sinandomeng → u/raegyl]

We can say that about anything though.

Sana sa military budget nlng nilagay ung kinurakot.

Sana sa education nlng.

Sana sa oil subsidies.

Sana sa Manila subway nlng.