The Jeepney

Now, let me tell you something about Philippines famous mode of transportation, the Jeepney or Jeep. (Tagalog: Dyip. Bisaya: Dyip, gihapon)

According to Wikipedia:

• Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have also become a symbol of Philippine culture.

History of Jeepney:

• When American troops began to leave the Philippines at the end of World War II, hundreds of surplus jeeps were sold or given to local Filipinos. Locals stripped down the jeeps to accommodate several passengers, added metal roofs for shade, and decorated the vehicles with vibrant colors and bright chrome hood or ornaments.
  

• The jeepney rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to reestablish inexpensive public transportation, which had been virtually destroyed during World War II. Recognizing the widespread use of these vehicles, the Philippine government began to place restrictions on their use. Drivers now must have specialized licenses, regular routes, and reasonably fixed fares. Due to recent fuel price increases the Metro Manila fixed fare has increased from 5 pesos to 7.50 pesos (currently about 10 to fifteen cents American.)

• In 2008, a widespread movement in Manila has been pushing for the reduction of jeepneys in the metropolis by as much as 1/3 as it is competing with government financed transport systems like the light rail transit (LRT) and for pollution issues. Jeepneys through the recent years have slowly become a burden on Philippine transportation infrastructure because of the loss of revenue of other forms of modern transportation and its "King of the Road" mentality which is causing major traffic jams through main arteries of the Philippines.

Para sa ating mga pinoy, kasama na talaga natin ang jeep sa ating araw-araw na buhay. Dahil halos lahat ng pinoy ay sumasakay sa jeep papunta kahit saang lugar, sa eskwela, trabaho, palengke, mall, beach, lakwatsa at iba pa. Kahit ang ibang taong medyo may kaya sa buhay at may sariling sasakyan, ay sumasakay din sa jeep.

These are useful Filipino phrases used when riding the jeepney.

Legend:

• Tagalog

• Bisaya

• English

Bayad (po)/Akong plite

Here's the payment (Sir).

Paki-abot lang/Pakisuyo (yung bayad)/Palihog ko'g palatay/Mamalihog ko/Paki-tunol

Please pass (the payment).

Para (po/lang)/Lugar lang. (Pero diri dapit sa among syudad, motuktuk na lang sa atop o alkuba, ang uban pa gani diretso na lang muambak :)

(Please) stop.

Saan (po/ho)?/Asa?

(Mam/Sir, ) to where?

Saan bababa (po/ho)?/Asa manaug?

(Mam/Sir,) Where are you getting off?

Papunta saan (po/ho) to?/Asa padulong? Asa paingon?

(Sir,) To where is this bound for?/What is the destination?

Sa Quiapo (po/ho)

To Quiapo (Sir/Mam).

May bababa?/Naay manaug?

Is there anyone getting off?

Mayron/Naa

(Yes) There is. (In response to the above inquiry.)

Wala/Wala

(No) There is no one. (In response to the above inquiry. 'Wala' literally means 'nothing'.)

Sandali lang (po/ho)/Kadyot lang/Taympa ha?

One moment (please).

This is how you sit inside the jeepney:
(I don't know who these people are, I just googled this ;)

Usually, nobody sits in the middle or the aisle. But some jeepney have stools for excess passengers to sit on. You can find them in the provinces and remote places where jeepneys are scarce.

Enjoy the ride!!!

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