'Our expenses are too much without jeepneys. The Philippines has recorded 40,000 coronavirus cases, and 1,280 deaths.Ĭommuter Alejandra Carable welcomed the jeepney's return. Under the new rules, passengers must also undergo temperature checks before boarding and shield themselves from one another with face masks and plastic sheets. This is our only source of income,' said driver Celo Cabangon, whose truck is decorated with Japanese and Philippine flags, Bible verses and the logo of U.S. 'I'm very happy we are now back on the road.

In pre-pandemic times, jeepneys routinely carried up to 15 passengers who sat knee-to-knee on twin benches in the windowless vehicles, choked by exhaust fumes.

Just 6,000 were back in business on Friday, operating at half capacity under strict social distancing rules.