Look Inside The Isuzu Modern Jeep

The government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program received a big boost after the Senate Employees Cooperative acquired some 35 units of Isuzu vehicles that were built particularly to replace the aging jeepneys servicing the PICC/Reclamation area.

These modern jeepneys, presented to the media last Monday, follow the design the Transportation Department is requiring from all manufacturers and assemblers of PUVs in the country.

Under the Class 2 design, modern public transport like the jeepneys must have side-loading capability, side-facing seats and roof height that allows upright entrance and movement by passengers.

The Isuzu modern jeep looks more like an airport bus than our more familiar jeeps. It can carry up to 20 passengers sitting and standing with handrails for passenger balance and safety.

Joseph Bautista, marketing director of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, said these Class 2 vehicles have technology more commonly seen in public buses of Australia, Canada and the US.

The Isuzu is powered by a 3.0 liter 4JH1 turbodiesel engine that is Euro-4 compliant. At the entrance are “Beep Card” portals for cashless transaction, allowing a faster loading and unloading process.

A TV screen is situated at the back of the driver. This screen shows the route of the jeep, its designated stops and other information. Atty. Martin Delgra, LTRFB chairman, said the drivers can also use these screens for advertisements that will give them additional income outside of the fares they receive from passengers.

The bodies of these Isuzu jeeps were made by Almazora, a local vehicle body builder, creating business for the local auto industry. Each jeep costs about P1,945,000 and can be had with some government subsidy and bank loans.

The Isuzu modernized jeeps will service the routes usually taken by employees of the Senate, which is why it was the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative or SETSCO that acquired the rights and franchise to the service.

The modern jeeps will service the PICC/Reclamation Area – Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange routes passing through PICC, Senate, MoA and the Entertainment City or the casino areas.