The Bacolod local government has established two exclusive ‘green routes’ for electric (e)-jeepneys to use in transporting passengers.
“I think this is the first in the country. We have eight e-jeeps ready to be deployed. They have obtained the certificate of compliance for registration,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez explained.
Dry Runs
The first of the ‘green routes’ that runs through Brgy. Vista Alegre underwent a trial run last May 15-19. The residents in the area were treated to a ‘Libre Sakay’ (free ride) experience. The second route going through Brgy. Cabug had a similar test run from June 25-19. Mayor Benitez explained that these initiatives aim to determine if these routes can be included in the enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP).
Benitez noted previously that the e-jeepney operators, who have been assisted by the city in obtaining provisional authority, will go through the same regulatory process as modernized jeep operators.
He also shared that the e-jeepney operators can utilize the city’s charging station located at the Bacolod City Government Center. “Eventually, they will pay similar to a gas station. The operators said they can save up to 60 percent of the operation cost if they will use e-jeeps,” Benitez added.
A Pioneering Partnership
Chinese-Korean electric vehicle manufacturer Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. (Fengchuen) is partnering with Bacolod to make it the first city in the Philippines to produce e-jeeps, supporting the national government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
Fengchuen has opened a local office, e-Future Motors Philippines (PH) Inc., aiming to establish Bacolod as a model and pilot site for e-jeepney public transport in the Philippines.
Source: Bacolod establishes ‘green routes’ for passenger e-jeepneys