Jeepnies (Jeepnys), the Philippine Mass Transit

What is a Jeepnie (Jeepny)?

At the end of WWII, the US Army left behind large amounts of Jeeps that were used to liberate the Philippine Islands from the Japanese.  Filipinos modified these abandoned Jeeps to become the main form of transportation for everything from people to the rebar used to build concrete structures.  To do this the jeeps passenger compartment was sliced in half and extended to the point that a 5 person Jeep could now transport 15-20 people (plus a few on the roof and back bumper).  Over the last 60 years this has evolved in to an art and a source of pride for both the passengers and the owners all across the Philippines.  No two are the same and all have names given to them by the owners/drivers.  Here are a few pictures.

The interior of one Jeepnie.  Its not uncommon to see tv's and sound systems complete with light shows.  Several have full length mirrors on the roof  (the windows are usually boarded up and the benches are converted into a bed at night time since many drivers live in their Jeepnies).

The back bumper can hold another five people.  Great fun, and best source of air conditioning, however it is not fun to be smacked in the face with a low lying coconut tree branch while traveling at high speeds.

Japanese motorcycles modified into "tricycles" are the preferred smaller transportation.  The amount of people/things these can carry is apparently limit-less.  A British man told me he saw one with two calves on top.