Jeepneys are a popular and cheap mode of public transport used in the Philippines. Originally converted US Army Jeeps left over from the Second World War, they're now made to order.
These vehicles are often very brightly coloured, with all sorts of patterns and pictures both outside and in, of everything from religious icons to basketball stars. They also happen to spew out vast quantities of rather stinky polluting diesel exhaust fumes, and one or two may alarmingly appear to have a few rusty holes allowing you to watch the road tearing past beneath you. You'll find that the drivers make a little bit more effort to decorate the inside than the average London mini cab's furry dice.
They're somewhere between a bus and taxi, in that they follow a set route and carry lots of passengers who can get on and off whenever they want. Jeeps are also very cheap to ride on: the average fare is around 5 pesos, which is about ten pence1.
First time users should try and get a seat, either in the two long rows in the back, or if they're free, in one of the two seats next to the driver. More experienced Filipino travellers have been known to cling on to the back when there's no more room on the last Jeep home.
One word of advice for the taller Western travellers: watch what you're doing as you're getting in - many a head has been bashed. Once you've got used to that, as well as often having to squeeze in tight in your seat, you can sit back and relax as the driver somehow manages to perilously weave in and out of the traffic safely.
