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In the steep roads of Baguio City, every increase in fuel price is felt twice—once at the gas station and again in the fare that commuters pay. With the recent oil price hikes, jeepney drivers are once again caught in the familiar cycle of rising costs and shrinking income. This is why the conversation can no longer stay on temporary relief. The long-term solution is clear: shifting to electric jeepneys, or e-jeeps, as a more stable and sustainable form of public transport.
The recurring fuel price increases expose a long-standing weakness in the country’s transport system—its heavy dependence on imported oil. Traditional jeepneys operate directly on diesel, meaning every global oil price hike immediately affects both drivers and passengers. Fare increases may follow, but they only shift the burden rather than solve the problem. In Baguio City, where terrain and traffic already demand more fuel consumption, this dependency becomes even more costly and unsustainable.
This is where e-jeepneys present a practical and necessary alternative. By running on electricity instead of fuel, e-jeeps remove transport operations from the volatility of global oil markets. While electricity prices are not entirely fixed, they are far more stable and locally managed compared to international oil fluctuations. Over time, this translates into more predictable operating costs for drivers and more stable fares for commuters. For a city that relies heavily on daily mobility, this kind of stability is not just convenient—it is essential.
Beyond cost stability, e-jeep modernization also addresses environmental concerns. Baguio City continues to face pressure from congestion and emissions, especially in central routes and tourist-heavy areas. Transitioning to electric public transport reduces air pollution and helps preserve the city’s identity as a cool-climate destination. Cleaner transport is not only an environmental benefit but also a long-term investment in public health and urban livability.
Critics often point to the high initial cost of e-jeep units and the challenges of transitioning from traditional jeepneys. These concerns are valid, especially for drivers who depend on daily income. However, avoiding modernization does not remove the problem—it only prolongs vulnerability to every new oil price hike. What is needed is a structured transition that includes government support, accessible financing, and programs that ensure drivers are not left behind.
Ultimately, the issue is not whether oil prices will continue to rise—they will. The real question is whether the transport system will keep reacting to every increase or finally move toward stability. E-jeep modernization offers that path forward. For Baguio City, it is not just an innovation—it is a long-term answer to a recurring problem that can no longer be ignored. By Farrell Ventigan
