How to Ride a Jeepney
The jeepney is the main form of public transportation in urban areas of the Philippines, aside from buses, trains and taxis. They are a conversion of surplus U.S. Army jeeps that were in use after World War II. They have become a symbol of Filipino culture and one of the more exciting ways to get about. First-time travelers to the Philippines should be aware of certain protocols when electing to ride in a jeepney.
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Instructions
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Know your destination. Jeepneys run along specific routes, with the route displayed on a windshield sign. Remember that jeepneys are not exclusively hired, and you will be sharing one with around 20 other people.
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Carry small denominations of currency. Try not to use large bills, such as anything between 200 and 1,000 pesos (equaling about $5 to $24), as the driver may not have the change for you. Jeepney fares range between 7.50 pesos (in 2008) for the first four kilometers, with a peso added for every extra kilometer.
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Locate a jeepney "stop" sign. Authorized areas for loading and unloading passengers exist. When you see a jeepney going in the right direction for you, wave your hand to attract the driver. Wait for the jeepney to stop before boarding.
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Find a seat. There are seats in the front and the back of the jeepney. Front seats are reserved for disabled people, but they can be used if there is not a disabled person on board. Just be prepared to move if necessary. Be prepared to touch shoulders or knees with other passengers in busy periods and hold onto the overhead bar for safety.
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Pay the fare as soon as you get on the jeepney to avoid any delays. Ask for the current fare to where you are going. (This changes from time to time.) Pass the coins to the driver or "konuktor" if he is within reach of you. If not, then pass the money to the passenger next to you, and it will be passed up the truck until it is given to the appropriate person.
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Say "para po" to the driver when you come to your stop and he will stop. If the jeepney has a string on the roof of the vehicle to alert the driver, pull it to get him to stop. Say "salamat" to thank the driver and get out of the vehicle immediately.
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References
- Photo Credit philippines flag button image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
