Category: Isuzu modern PUV

Isuzu makes 3rd delivery, making Pasang Masda their biggest single customer for modern PUVs

Gelzon de la Cruz

Isuzu Philippines completed their third delivery of modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) to the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang-Masda). They turned over 30 Isuzu QKR77 modern PUVs with Almazora-built bodies, doubling to 60 the total number of units they have delivered to the high-profile transport group.

Press Statement by Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), “Isuzu Philippines turns over 3rd batch of modernized PUVs to Pasang Masda,” 2020:

During the formal ceremony held last January 22, Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) turned over 30 brand new modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) to the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang-Masda), among the country’s biggest transport groups.

The turnover ceremony was held at Meycauayan Common Terminal, Meycauayan, Bulacan; and represents the 3rd batch of modern PUVs Pasang Masda has acquired. The first batch of 15 units were turned over in October 29, 2018, the second batch of 15 units on November 7, 2019.

The event was attended by top executives of IPC, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra, Meycauayan Mayor Ruth Villarica, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Mark de Leon, representatives of Inteco Quezon Avenue and body build partner Almazora, members of air conditioning supplier Coolaire, and officers of Pasang Masda.

IPC President Mr. Hajime Koso, in his remarks, said, “As the number one local one-stop shop for trucks in the Philippines, Isuzu is proud to offer its end-to-end services from delivering the vehicle units to giving our clients outstanding after-sales services.”

The Isuzu PUVs are not only beneficial to the commuters but also to the drivers and operators as it increases the quality of their livelihood. Isuzu modern PUVs are very versatile, allowing for customization that any PUV operations may require.

The 30 units will ply the busy route between the growing cities of Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan Province.

During the turnover ceremony, IPC also exhibited its newest addition to the PUV lineup, the Isuzu TRAVIZ Lightweight truck with Utility Van (Class 1 PUV) which passed PUV modernization requirements of the DOTr Omnibus Franchise Guidelines. The Class 1 Isuzu PUV is suitable for crowded inner-city road and Isuzu Traviz Class 1 PUV is a good alternative to have a modernized jeepney for transport cooperatives.

The modernized PUVs, assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform and the rear body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corporation, are air-conditioned Class 2 PUVs assembled in the Philippines and is equipped with Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC diesel engine that delivers excellent fuel economy. The air conditioning system developed and provided by Coolaire Consolidated Inc boasts ducted airflow and a high-cooling capacity to keep commuters comfortable regardless of outdoor temperature.

The PUV body is compliant with Philippine National Standards (PNS 2126:2017), with the passenger cabin providing more space for passengers to move easily inside. The passenger door is safely situated on the right-hand side, facing the sidewalk. Other design features of the body include panoramic windows and windshields, full-body insulation with GeneQ shield, automatic door closer, high-grade air conditioners with equal cooling distribution, and provisions for persons with disabilities.

Completing the modernized look and features of the new PUVs are the LED electronic signages for vehicle route information, fire extinguishers, CCTV, dashcam and back-up cameras, and the automatic fare collection provided by Euodoo Technologies, Inc. These accessories are geared for passengers’ safety, entertainment, added convenience in fare collection and in compliance with LTFRB and DOTr regulations.

For more information, log on to www.isuzuphil.com.

Isuzu continues to support LTFRB’s modern PUV caravan on Visayas leg, shows next-model NLR77 Class 2 PUV

Gelzon de la Cruz

Isuzu Philippines sustains its strong presence on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) modern public utility vehicle (PUV) nationwide caravan as it started its Visayas phase last month. For the caravan’s Visayas leg that kicked off in Iloilo in October, they’ve fielded their next-model NLR77 Class 2 modern PUV which features their trademark hexapod cabin design in front, an integral passenger body built by Santa Rosa Motors in the back, and a powerful new roof-mounted Denso air-conditioning package on top.

Isuzu NLR77 Class 2 PUV on opening motorcade of nationwide LTFRB caravan in Bacolod City

While attending the second stop of the caravan’s Visayas leg held at SM Bacolod last October 28, Isuzu marketing head Joseph Bautista explained that they strongly support the traveling exhibition because it gives the entire country’s commuting public the chance to see the benefits of modernized public transport firsthand. The caravan gives commuters the opportunity to confirm how these new minibus-type PUVs are more comfortable, convenient and eco-friendly than the low-roofed truck-based passenger jeepneys these are replacing.

Bautista said that equally important is how the traveling exhibition shows jeepney operators the modern vehicles they will be driving when they leave behind the old piecemeal boundary system. As members of modern PUV transport cooperatives, former jeepney drivers will be getting mainstreamed compensation, earning fixed salaries supplemented with social security and medical care benefits that are mandatory for all Philippine employees.

The NLR77 Class 2 PUV that they will be exhibiting to commuters and jeepney operators on the caravan’s Visayas leg is described by Bautista as an eventual successor to their QKR77 vehicles, aligning Isuzu’s transport modernization products with the rest of their Euro 4 compliant Blue Power truck lineup. The NLR77-based PUV retains most of the original contours of its spacious cabin and, after its initial development with an integral passenger body built by Santa Rosa Motors, will eventually have more models with Almazora- and Cenro-built bodies as well. NLR77 Class 2 and Class 3 PUVs can be configured with either side- or front-facing seats.

Isuzu NLR77 Class 2 PUV beside converted van public utility vehicle while on opening motorcade of modern PUV caravan in Bacolod City

Bautista confirmed that after Iloilo and Bacolod, the LTFRB modern PUV caravan will visit Dumaguete, Cebu, Bohol, Ormoc and then Tagbilaran to complete the Visayas region leg. The Visayas tour is the third leg of a nationwide campaign kicked off last July in Clark, Pampanga with a first leg covering northern and central Luzon and then a second leg for Mindanao. After the Visayas tour, the PUV caravan will hop to southern Luzon, visiting Legazpi and Quezon, Laguna and Batangas provinces before culminating with a major event at the Paraňaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Metro Manila.

Isuzu Philippines marketing head Joseph Bautista and LTFRB chairman Martin B. Delgra III at opening ceremony of modern PUV caravan in Bacolod City

Bautista further confirmed that aside from visiting upcoming exhibitions of the LTFRB’s nationwide caravan, jeepney operators can go to any of Isuzu’s 42 dealerships nationwide to evaluate these modern PUVs. Bautista said that their dealerships have trained representatives prepared to help interested parties learn options for starting their own modern PUV fleets, and also to arrange test drives to get them behind the wheel of Isuzu’s modern PUV models.

Isuzu NLR77 Class 2 PUV at outdoor exhibit for modern PUV caravan in Bacolod City