Cleaner LPG-run public jeepneys launched

MANILA, Philippines - The Go-LPG company, born from an advocacy to push the use of clean LPG fuel in public utility jeepneys, launched in early October two versions of LPG-ran jeepneys that will be tested around the country until November by the National Federation of Transport Cooperatives (NFTC).

The launch of the LPG jeepneys at the Quezon Memorial Circle was capped by the turnover of the keys to one completely brand-new LPG jeepney called Happy Go Jeepney  and another converted but existing unit called Pinoy Express Jeepney to the NFTC that was witnessed by government officials, heads of financial institutions, motor companies and LPG distributors.

It took Go-LPG president Cielo Fregil and her partners – Almazora and LPG distributors — all of four years to come up with two feasible models for testing around the country after which LPG jeepneys will await franchise from the Department of Transportation and Communication-Land Transportation Office.

 But as DOTC representative Robert Delfin said, “the DOTC is encouraging the use of alternative fuels like LPG, electric, CNG (compressed natural gas) and ethanol and is willing to exempt these units from the moratorium (against new franchises) provided they don’t cross or traverse the main road of EDSA.”

 The brand-new Happy Go jeepney has brand new engine and parts with LPG tank attached below the body. It costs P1.1 million but it is expected to be made available to transport cooperatives only since they are entitled to tax exemption and have ready links with financing companies and banks. The coops will take charge of lending and collecting from members out of the daily boundary, Fregil explained.

 “It is easier for Go-LPG to deal only with federations, not individual operators and drivers as it is also easier for the banks to deal with just groups,” she added.

 Go-LPG introduced high- end Italian kits Tartarini (used by Queen Elizabeth in her Rolls Royce limo) to private SUV owners and operators of taxi fleets. But the entry of numerous fly-by-night retrofitters who used either low quality kits or did not properly fit the kits with the engines thereby causing leaks that taxi drivers claim are hazardous to their health.

 At the open forum that followed, NFTC members said they openly welcome the LPG jeepneys, since it uses cheaper LPG (hence it would mean more income for the drivers), a cleaner fuel to reduce toxic fumes in the environment and the air would be healthier for passengers, drivers, bystanders and passersby. But they said they are worried about the few refilling stations to go to.

 Oil dealers told the drivers that putting up more refilling station or pumps would come when there is the required mass (or volume) to support such huge (P5 to P8 million) investment per pump.

 Fregil said initially, the federation will have their terminals where the LPG suppliers can install pumps that drivers would fill up the units in for the day’s route. “It would be easier for the federation and the LPG suppliers to talk things out among themselves,” she added.

 Environmental advocates likewise advised the jeepney drivers that like any engine, LPG must be maintained properly and regularly otherwise they would go the way of diesel engines and become polluters themselves.