Even though Isuzu has long been renowned for its exemplary durability and reliability, some have never tried one.

This was the case for the MIMAROPA Transport Cooperative, which took the plunge by getting 15 Isuzu NLR77 Class 3 public-utility vehicles (PUV) to serve commuters in the 60-km route from Calapan City to Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) announced in an October 2023 press statement that the cooperative officially received the modern PUVs at a ceremony in Isuzu Calapan. This is in addition to 28 units the Japanese carmaker delivered to the region in September 2022.

The cooperative had previously operated UV Express vans on the same route but recently decided to upgrade to Class 3 PUVs to cater to the increasing number of commuters in the area and to align with the government's guidelines for long-distance public transport routes.

"We choose Isuzu because of its renowned durability, fuel efficiency, and the fact that it is very easy to maintain," said MIMAROPA Transport Cooperative chair Albert Cayetano. 

"These modern PUVs will improve the quality of service that we provide to our customers in the area," he added.

Safer, more comfortable commutes

The PUV Modernization Program, which was launched in June 2017, aims to revamp the country's public transport system by implementing policies to make commuting more efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly.

The program includes updated vehicle standards for PUVs, particularly modernized jeepneys, to replace older fleets with designs that trace their roots to post-World War II Philippines.

Class 3 modern PUVs are designed for routes ranging from 15 to 60 km. These have 22 front-facing passenger seats with seatbelts and a side-opening door to allow curbside boarding and alighting.

The Isuzu NLR77 PUV Class 3 runs on a Euro 4-compliant 4JH1-TC Blue Power Diesel Engine and has a body built by CENTRO. 

Compliant with Philippine National Standard guidelines, it is equipped with a GPS tracker, CCTV cameras, a speed limiter, a dashcam, Wi-Fi, and an automated fare collection system for the convenience of both the driver and its passengers.

"Considering the route and operational condition of the cooperative, the Isuzu NLR77 PUV Class 3 proves to be the best fit for them," said IPC Vice President for Sales Yasuhiko Oyama.

"Aside from our durable products, it is our excellent aftersales support that we strengthen the most, especially for fleet customers," he added. "We always make sure that our parts are readily available nationwide and that we have dealerships in strategic locations, then for those really far-flung, we service them via our Mobile Medic trucks."

Do you think this cooperative made a sound choice by going with Isuzu's modern PUVs?

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