Nu Idea #8 by Rocky Gabatin on new Jeepney Fare system

Rocky Gabatin

SPENTREP - S09

"Prepaid Jeepney Fare System"

Our JP becoming high tech thanks to Rocky

A huge part of our everyday life is commuting to and from locations. It has already been embedded in our brains to carry coins and small bills because "barya lang sa umaga." Otherwise, you'll get a "'tang**a naman oh, umagang-umaga, limandaan ibibigay mo?" Yet, we still encounter, or experience, this situation many an occasion.

However, we can make the transport system a bit more effective and efficient, as well as "high-tech." There are already existing technologies that are capable of handling prepaid services, such as e-pass and MRT/LRT cards. Let's install a smaller scale of the technology on jeepneys, and taxis even. Prepaid cards for jeepney fares!

Because jeepneys have designated routes, it is easy to program the routes to the system and indicate the corresponsing fares between locations.

It works like this: The commuter will "call" a jeep, as normally as it can be. Jeep pulls over. The commuter then swipes, or insert (depending on the system), the prepaid card at the entrance of the jeepney. Note that the system is linked to the door/gate of the jeepney. This adds better security and minimizes the infamous "1, 2, 3 tactic" of not paying for the fare. However, the jeepney operator can install the system anywhere accessible within the unit (e.g. ceiling). This marks the entry point of the commuter, and he will swipe/insert the card once again when he goes "Sa tabi lang po, PARA." The system deducts the right amount of fare depending on the entry and exit points--same thing with LRT and e-pass.

This can be implemented in a small region for trial, and it can be implemented in a much larger scale with improvements from the initial launch.

This prepaid transport system is already being implemented in developed countries, such as the UK. There is no harm in having this in our country. DOTC, LTFRB and other parties involved can make a profit out of this, and it can make the lives of both commuters and drivers easier.  4