Jeepneys in General Santos City - Philippines

Jeepneys are the most reliable means of transport around the major thoroughfares of General Santos City. One can easily board a colorful jeepney at designated loading and unloading spots. Anywhere along the side of the road can be a boarding zone as long as a driver is willing to favorably respond to a wave of a passenger's hand. Jeepneys ply specific routes around, in, and out of the tuna capital; so looking at the board placed on top of the jeepney's roof will keep one from getting lost. The sign boards carry the point of destination and these are positioned facing front. A drive through the major roads of the city will only take about 15 to 30 minutes. Jeepneys always pass through the National Highway. It will either be a turn to Santiago Boulevard or Jose Catalino Senior Avenue in order to make it towards the backwater streets of P. Acharon Boulevard and the Bula-Amao Road.

A westward trip along the National Highway will take passengers to Koronadal, while a jeepney ride towards the north leads to Davao City. The General Santos-Koronadal-Cotabato City National Highway and the General Santos -Digos-Davao National Highway are very important road arteries because these link the city and the rest of the South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City (SORKSARGEN) area with other parts of Mindanao. The easiest way to get to different spots connected through the National Highway is to transfer from one jeepney to another. Getting off and then boarding jeepneys will be convenient when one travels light. Make sure to bring a bottle of drinking water and a pack of crackers in order to save on time and money. One might miss a jeepney while on a five minute detour to a store.

Saving on waiting time is possible when jeepneys are hired. It will be the cheapest alternative to hopping from one jeepney ride to another if a group of at least 12 persons will chip in for the ride. Most passenger jeepneys can carry as much as 20 medium-built persons, so always look for a 17-seater or smaller jeepney for the trip.

Close to 300 passenger jeepneys maintain routes through the major arteries and secondary roads that connect the agricultural areas, processing plants, and transshipment ports. The employed at the Cookie Factory along Bula-Lagao Road, for instance, can easily make a brief stopover after work at the Robinson's Mall found along the National Highway. Jeepneys regularly pass through the junction because other malls are located nearby.

A four kilometer jeepney ride costs less than 10 pesos. As of January 2010, the land transport regulatory board has pegged the minimum fare at seven pesos. Each kilometer beyond the four kilometer standard distance will cost an additional 50 centavos. A trip to the major agricultural area located in the Allah Valley will definitely cost more because a jeepney has to take the intersection of the General Santos-Koronadal Highway at Tacurong and Koronadal. The jeepney would then have to loop through Kolambog and Surallah.