Debate escalates on Philippine 'jeepney phaseout' plan

MANILA - The Philippines has revived plans to remove jeepneys that are older than 10 years from Manila's gridlocked streets, stirring a fresh debate on the fate of the vehicles that have been chugging around the country since the 1950s.

The government and society have been talking about the "jeepney phaseout" for decades and the new "jeepney modernization" plan is an attempt to cut traffic emissions and ease the ever-worsening traffic congestion currently gripping the Philippine capital.

However, jeepney operators and drivers are up in arms over the planned measure, saying it is meant to kill off small transport operators in the country.