Free eco-friendly rides in Makati CityManila Times, 11 November 2009 00:00
A fleet of battery powered jeepneys make their maiden voyage in Manila's financial district of Makati. The rides are financed by the city government as part of a campaign to reduce greenhouse emissions. Photo by Rene Dilan
Makati City residents and commuters can now enjoy free eco-friendly jeepney rides
as an electric jeepney institute on Tuesday launched its fare-free, emission-free Makati Green Route powered by electric jeepneys (e-Jeepneys).
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC), in partnership with the city government of Makati City and the Stitching Doen Foundation, deployed 10 new locally made e-Jeepneys, which would offer free e-Jeepney rides in Salcedo Village and Legaspi Village, starting and ending in Landmark mall.
The locally manufactured e-Jeepney is the first electric vehicle that was granted a license plate by the Land Transportation Office. The e-Jeepney carries 14 passengers and can run 65km on an 8-hour charge from an electric outlet.
“We are making the climate solutions of tomorrow available to Filipinos today,” Red Constantino, director for iCSC, said. “Bold action is needed during this period when we are beset by the financial and climate crisis.”
Constantino said the initiative is expected to dramatically reduce noise and air pollution in the city as e-Jeepney does not emit noise or harmful exhaust emissions. “It looks very Filipino and it has no noise,” he said.
According to iCSC, studies have shown that every liter of diesel avoided results in a reduction of 3,140 grams of carbon dioxide and 16 grams of nitrous oxide released to the atmosphere. And at excessive levels, the emission contributed to climate change, which has recently blamed for the extreme typhoons and floods that have recently devastated the country.
“We are doing this so the operators and franchise owners can consider replacing their fleet one by one,” he said. “By setting an example, we believe we can show them that that there are options that they can take.”
United Kingdom Ambassador Stephen Lillie lauded that efforts of the city government of Makati, saying “climate change is something that affects us all” and everyone should be involved in helping taking care of the environment.
Beginning Tuesday, Makati residents and commuters can avail of free rides in the e-Jeepney in two routes—Salcedo Village loop and Legaspi Village loop, which would start and end in Landmark mall from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The city government is also planning to expand its green route in the EDSA-Estrella-Rockwell district and other vicinities in Makati.
Constantino said they are also working with the city government of Puerto Princesa, which is close to completing the iCSC’s full climate-friendly cities program loop. “This is the starting point. We are also talking to different local governments right now,” he added.
Constantino said the e-Jeepney, which costs P500,000 to P600,000, is manufactured by iCSC’s partner, the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the National Center for Transportation Studies of the University of the Philippine, Philippine Bio-Sciences Co., Binalot Fiesta Foods, the British Embassy, Oxfam Great Britain, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Foundation for Philippine Environment.
During the launch, iCSC also unveiled the e-Jeepney charging station located at the Makati Fire Station at the Ayala Avenue Extension and the Sakay Series e-Jeepneys designed by award-wining artist Toym Imao in honor of Filipino hero Macario Sakay.
