As I’ve traveled in Asia, I’ve noted the different ways that people traveled about. In Hanoi, everyone rode what we would call in the States, mopeds. In Delhi, tuk-tuks where everywhere. In Manila, Jeepneys ruled the road. Jeepneys were originally created from the jeeps that the American army left in the Philippines after World War II. They were stretched and had roofs put on them for shade. Later, local companies and backyard builders started creating them. The fare to ride these is 7 pesos, which works out to about 10 cents. This picture on top is a fairly typical Jeepney. They go from somewhat austere to completely outrageous paint schemes and decorations (Mercedes emblems seem to be quite popular). The quality can run from rattling rusting deathtraps like the second picture down to completely buffed polished with air-conditioning like the third picture. People just hope in the back, pay the driver and off they go.
What is amazing is the sticker on the sides of each one showing the specs of the vehicle. The weight for these is in kilos, so the Jeepney weighs a few hundred pounds more than my Honda Civic. It is about the size of a big SUV, say a Ford Expedition and it will hold 20 people (with the driver).
Ingenuity + necessity + culture = cool unique stuff
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