The Jeepney, Philippines

As any world traveller knows, each Asian country offers its own unique brand of public transport. Passengers in Japan, for example, rocket down rails aboard sleek 170mph bullet trains. In Vietnam, passengers move at a more sedate 5mph while sitting in cyclo pedicabs. Passengers in Thailand buzz about in three-wheeled tuk-tuks, while in Hong Kong you can steam across the harbour on the famous Star Ferry. In the Philippines though, Filipinos cruise along bumpy roads aboard chrome-plated, brightly painted jeepneys that literally dazzle the eye.

The jeepney rose from the ashes of Manila at the end of the Second World War. After Japan's surrender in 1945, the US military began sending thousands of American servicemen back home to the US. However, much of their surplus equipment stayed behind in the Pacific. In Manila, which had been flattened when the Americans retook the city street by street from the Japanese, the US sold or simply gave away a huge number of surplus jeeps to local Filipinos.

World War II Jeep

There are many explanations of the origin of the word "jeep," all of which have proven difficult to verify. The most popular belief is that the vehicle bore the designation "GP" (for "Government Purposes" or "General Purpose"), which easily becomes the word jeep.

These jeeps rapidly emerged as a popular and creative way to re-establish inexpensive public transportation, which had been virtually destroyed during the Second World War. Drivers soon began painting their olive-drab jeeps in a bright colours designed to grab the attention of potential passengers. Drivers added metal roofs to ward off the sun and rain; they extended the rear of their vehicles in order to crowd more people aboard with ease.

Sixty five years after the end of the War, jeepneys are still hauling passengers throughout the Philippines. Though these sturdy machines face increasing competition from more modern taxis and minivans, jeepneys remain the backbone of public transportation. Today's jeepney drivers face an ever-increasing amount of rules and regulations. The government issues licenses for jeepney drivers to use established routes at set fares that begin at a very reasonable 3 pesos (about 5p). A jeepney driver who picks up passengers off his licensed route faces stiff penalties as well as the potentially violent backlash from the driver whose fares he is poaching.

The jeepney is also used for transporting goods, jeepneys loaded with fresh pinneaples are a common sight. Specially adapted jeepneys can also be utlised for other purposes, like safe tiger viewing platforms in zoos!

The original jeepneys were modifications of existing military vehicles. However, today's jeepneys are quite literally manufactured from scratch. As might be expected, they aren't rolling off the high-tech assembly lines, independently owned factories turn out homemade jeepneys tailor-made for aspiring drivers. Or more often than not, simply fabricated in backyard garages.