Baguio to Test World Bank Jeepney Modernization Program

BAGUIO CITY — The World Bank Group introduced a pilot jeepney modernization framework Friday that would allow local governments to contract with transport operators for public service delivery, fundamentally restructuring how vehicle upgrade costs are managed in the sector.

Under the proposed model, local government units would assume financial responsibility for modernizing jeepney fleets, rather than placing the burden on individual drivers and transport groups. This approach is designed to accelerate the transition to safer, more environmentally friendly vehicles while ensuring operators can remain viable during the transition period.

Bowen Wang, senior transport specialist at the World Bank Group, outlined the framework during a public transport modernization convention in Baguio City. The model represents a shift from previous approaches that required operators to independently finance vehicle replacements, often through expensive loans or personal investment.

Baguio has been selected as a pilot site to test the program's effectiveness before potential nationwide rollout. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize the country's public transport infrastructure while protecting the livelihoods of jeepney drivers and operators who depend on the vehicles for income.

Successful implementation in Baguio could establish a template for other cities seeking to balance modernization goals with the economic realities facing traditional transport operators.