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What's the geographical extent of the Jeepney. Are there any in the UK and if not why not. One up on the Hummer!
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You've come to the right place. Jeepneys are the indigenous local transportation in the Philippines. They grew up after the war when the country was rebuilding following the Jap occupation and enterprising Filipinos grafted bodies onto discard Willys jeeps to provide cheap transport. They are noisy, dirty, colourful and driven by maniacs. I have seen them with as many as 30-40 people jammed into them and hanging off various extremities.There are estimated to be 27,000 in Manila alone and as many colorum (unlicensed) ones. They are are not in any manner or way designerd for off the road travel. They would be unlikely to pass any emission laws (they fail them here but a small "facilitation fee"
solves that).
Large numbers don't have batteries, they use their pals' to kickstart their old Isuzu diesels, which means meeting one at high speed with no lights on a darkened road is a common hazard. Jeepneys are also renowned as getaway vehicles for "scalawags" or "holdappers" since they arrive every few seconds (just wave one down) and are are quickly lost in the melee of traffic. Hang on to your wallet too. Pickpockets work in 2's and 3's, for example a woman with a baby in front of you may drop something. You bend down to pick it up and when you get off you find no wallet.
jeepney.man.freeservers.com/
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So there's no factory as such churning them out then? And are they unique to the Philippines?
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Yes there is a factory at Zapote close to where I live. The Sarao factory will turn you out a full jeepney (recycled Isuzu truck engine and transmission) along with hand cut and beaten stainless steel body) for about $5-6,000. The exotic paintwork and ornamentation (essential) will cost you more. Many families (we have large ones here) will have their own private jeepney.
They are unique to the Philippines because of the historical connection with th WW2 and the US. The name is derived from "jeep" and "knees", because the inside seats have all the passengers rubbing knees with each other.
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