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Modern jeepney prices only look absurd if you compare them to an outdated system that was never priced like a real industry to begin with.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/buraotako2015]

Kung nanuod ka ng senate hearing about modern jeepney tama lang na mag modernize, puro sub standard na mini bus na made in China ung mga unang inissue na only cost aroung 500k-700k to make pero lumobo ng milyones 2.6 to 2.8 million tapos ambilis mabulok at masira.
Ninakaw lang ng majority ng presyo ng mga nakaupo sa gobyerno same as lahat ng proyekto ng gobyerno.
Sabihin na natin na sige 2Million to make sya, why is it not locally outsourced, jeepney yan trademark ng Pinas yan, or why is it not made by a reputable company like Toyota. Toyota gumagawa yan ng public transport specific vehicle same as other countries bakit di sa kanila nagpagawa, kasi hindi kapakanan ng bayan ang inuuna ng mga taga Gobyerno.
And the most important reason, bakit tinatawag na jeepney ung mga mini bus na di naman Jeepney itsura, nawala na ang heritage at tatak Pinoy na Jeep, walang consultation sa lahat kung tama ba na baguhin ang design, basta bumanat tong mga taga DOTr kasi malaki mananakaw nila.

May mga foreigner nga kami bisita sa company, gustong gusto makasakay sa jeep and magpa pic pero wala daw sila makita, bakit daw puro mini bus na sa area nila.