The GET City Optimized Managed Electric Transport (COMET) is an electric minibus developed by American firm Pangea Motors and manufactured and distributed by Global Electric Transport.[3][4][5]
| GET COMET | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Minibus |
| Manufacturer | Global Electric Transport |
| Also called | City Optimized Managed Electric Transport |
| Assembly | Philippines: Carmona, Cavite (GET Philippines)[1] |
| Designer | Pangea Motors |
| Powertrain | |
| Battery | Lithium-ion[2] |
| Electric range | 100 kilometers (62 mi)[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 6,200 mm (244.1 in)[2] |
| Width | 2,150 mm (84.6 in)[2] |
| Height | 2,350 mm (92.5 in)[2] |
Design edit
Often characterized as an electric jeepney (e-jeep) in the Philippines, the City Optimized Managed Electric Transport (COMET) was designed specifically to fulfill the public transportation needs of Metro Manila, as a potential replacement for traditional open-air jeepneys, which are also noted as a major contributor to air pollution in the metropolis. The COMET was designed by United States-based Pangea Motors and is distributed and manufactured by Global Electric Transport (GET). A team from the United States went to the Philippines as part of the design process for the COMET minibus.[1]
Unlike traditional jeepneys, the COMET has the capability to accommodate standing passengers and its doors are positioned on the sides instead in the back. It is also powered by lithium-ion batteries instead of diesel.[6] GET would also allow COMET owners to customized the exterior of the vehicles similar to the kitschy jeepney art of its conventional counterparts.[1]
Use in public transport edit
The COMET, is touted as a replacement to traditional jeepneys in the Philippines which plies routes in urban centers.[7][8] In contrast to traditional jeepneys, where passengers could board and alight at any point in a given route in practice; COMETs were only allowed to do so at certain designated stops. The COMETs' public transport operations are managed by a Command Center, ran by Pangea Philippines which could track individual COMETs using GPS installed on each vehicle. Fares are paid through a dedicated contactless smart card by GET.[9]
The COMET was first used for public transport in Quezon City in September 2014.[8][10] The vehicle was relaunched on September 3, 2015 with changes made to increase its electrical range and adjustments to its air suspension.[11] In December 2021, operations started in Valenzuela.[12]
The Light Rail Manila Corp. along with GET also opened routes in Metro Manila.[13][14]
References edit
- ^ a b c Luces, Kim (April 29, 2014). "The COMET e-jeep: A US design for Metro Manila's roads". GMA News. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "The COMET". getevee.com. Global Electric Transportation.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (October 26, 2013). "Welcome E-shuttle, bye-bye PH jeepney". Rappler. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Gamil, Jaymee (September 26, 2014). "'Comet' e-jeeps debut in Quezon City". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Marasigan, Lorenz S. (January 11, 2015). "E-jeep maker to deploy 1,000 units by end-2015". BusinessMirror. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (October 26, 2016). "Welcome E-shuttle, bye-bye PH jeepney". Rappler. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Frangoul, Anmar (November 19, 2015). "The end of the jeepney? Manila goes green". CNBC. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "'Comet' e-jeeps debut in Quezon City". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 26, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (August 16, 2014). "Quezon City e-jeepneys get first route". Rappler. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (September 23, 2014). "You may now board Quezon City e-jeepneys". Rappler. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ Abadicio, Camille (September 4, 2015). "COMET e-jeepneys relaunched in Metro Manila". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "Valenzuela City to deploy 8 electric minibuses starting Dec. 6". Manila Bulletin. December 4, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "LRMC, GET Philippines launch extended PITX-Makati route". The Manila Times. June 24, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "LRMC, GET Philippines team up for electric vehicle service". Manila Bulletin. March 30, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.