Chavit renews offer of affordable e-jeeps

Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson renewed his offer to provide electric jeepneys at much lower prices to enable marginalized drivers to comply with the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

- MARICHU VILLANUEVA

Singson said he first offered his subsidy scheme for the acquisition of e-jeepneys to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista as an option.

The first prototype e-jeepney, which was assembled in South Korea, is arriving this month.

The e-jeepney is patterned after the legacy public utility jeepneys (PUJs) but with a door and is a little taller, according to Singson.

Equipped with air-conditioning, it could sit 22 passengers, with six more standing.

Built at a cost of P2.2 million, Singson vowed to give half the price or P1.2 million under a rent-to-own repayment system, without any down payment.