Obama sees launch of ‘Pinoy jeepney’s future’

U.S. President Barack Obama Obama was not able to ride a real jeepney, but he was among the first to see the future of the so-called “king of the road” in the Philippines.

Before he addressed Filipino and American military men in Fort Bonifacio Tuesday, Obama attended the launch of a private e-jeepney project at Sofitel in Pasay City.

The U.S. President who is known for his climate change agenda, even boarded the zero-emission electric shuttle that may soon replace the famous Philippine jeepneys.

The City Optimized Managed Electric Transport (COMET) is set to be launched in May, initially with 30 vehicles plying the North Avenue-Monumento route.

The project, a joint venture between U.S. and Philippine developers, hopes to eventually replace the 30,000 jeepneys in Metro Manila with 15,000 e-shuttles in three years.

Aside from pollution, other problems the e-shuttle project hopes to address include commuter congestion and traffic buildup, which is heavily blamed on jeepneys.

Though it keeps the open-window design, the COMET is expected to be more comfortable, as riders can stand inside. Doors are also on the side so they can alight to the sidewalk.

Obama’s presence in the COMET launch is symbolic, as the Filipino jeepney concept uses refurbished wartime vehicles American left in the country after World War II.

After attending the e-shuttle launch, the U.S. President headed to Fort Bonifacio to address U.S. and Pinoy troops, as well as to pay tribute to fallen American soldiers.