By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Electric jeepneys (e-jeep) are set to start operating on select routes next week as the 45th MassKara Festival officially kicks off on Friday, October 11.
E-Future Motors Philippines, Inc., led by chief executive officer Bongkyun Shin, announced its partnership with Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC), also known as People’s Jeep, during the launch of a fleet of e-jeepneys at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Tuesday, October 8.
A total of 10 electric jeepneys will be provided to the cooperative, with the first five units released at the launch. These units will serve the Fortune Town-Central Market route and vice versa.
Robert Cerrada, e-Future chief operating officer, said the cooperative is currently in the process of securing provisional authority from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to begin operations.
In July, e-Future Motors Philippines, Inc., under the China-based Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd., and the city government launched the e-jeep in Bacolod, each unit costing PHP 2.4 million.
According to e-Future Motors, this marks the first electric vehicle (EV) for public transport under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in the city. The vehicle, which is considered environmentally friendly, can accommodate 21 passengers. It features an air conditioner, four speakers, a radio, a four-way closed-circuit television camera (CCTV), and a global positioning system (GPS).
Cerrada said there are two existing charging stations: one behind the BCGC and another at Ayala Malls Capitol Central.
Renalin Martem, CPMPC managing partner for Bacolod, stated that it would take about one to two weeks for the e-jeepneys to start operating, as they need to complete the necessary requirements and permits from the LTFRB.
Martem added that, aside from being environmentally friendly, the e-jeepneys could reduce fuel consumption by around 54 percent, lowering operational costs.
She noted that these e-jeepneys are the first in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.
People’s Jeep president Michael Abella expressed hope that electric vehicles will also be introduced in Cebu.
