12 Bizarre Transportation Vehicles: Only in the Philippines

While the world's means of transportation is getting faster and getting more high-tech, unusual means of transportation are still widely used in the Philippines.

With the emergence of modern vehicles like cars, buses, bullet trains, and many others, it is really unusual to still see these means of transportations in the streets or highways.

1. Push Carts/Kariton

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   These improvised carts are still widely used all throughout the archipelago. From left to right; it is used to collect garbage; for transportation of goods in the market; used by sidewalk vendors for selling different products usually fruits and vegetables; and used to fetch water.

2. Sleigh or Paragos

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Sleighs pulled by carabaos or water buffalos are still widely used in rural agricultural areas for transports of commodities.

3. Carts or Kariton

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Carts pulled by either cows or carabaos are used to transport commodities and for parade purposes especially in areas where they held carabao festival like Pulilan, Bulacan.

4. Horse Carriage or Kalesa

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Kalesa are still use as a means of transportation and for tourism purposes. There are still some kalesa in the city of Manila.

5. Tri-bike or Pedicab/Padyak

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Bicycle with side cars are used for short distance transportation. It is also use for parade purposes during fiestas or for parade of winning beauties for kids. This is an environmental friendly vehicle because it is absolutely pollution-free.

6. Trolley

   
   
   
   
   
   
   A trolley is a platform with improvised wheels of bearings, push into the railways of train and can accommodate 2 - 3 person or more. Trolley pushers use the railways when there are no trains passing by.

7. Farm Hand tractors with Carriage/Kuliglig

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   These hand tractors designed for cultivating the farm were improvised by creating a carriage for transportation of humans and goods. It is also use as float for parade purposes during celebration of fiestas.

8. Tricycles or Motorcycles with Sidecars

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   These are motorcycles with sidecars. It can usually accommodate 3 up to 10 persons but four is ideal. Maybe you're wondering how it can accommodate 10 persons aside from the driver. In some areas where there is a scarcity of transportation vehicles passengers would occupy even the rooftop, 3 passengers at the back of the driver, 2 at the back of sidecar, 3 inside the sidecar, 1 at the side seat of the sidecar ant 1 or 2 at the rooftop. That's why this vehicle is tagged as “small but terrible.”

9. Motorella

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Motorella is a variant of motorcycle with sidecar. It was built the other way around that it look likes a mini-truck.

10. Jeepneys

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are well known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. They have also become a symbol of Philippine culture.

11. XLT Jeeps

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    XLT jeep is a variation of jeepney. Its design was copied from a branded car. This is a popular passenger utility vehicle all over the country.

12. Owner-type Jeep

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Owner-type jeeps are Filipinos substitute for cars because it is much cheaper and more affordable compared to cars.
    Jeepneys, XLTs and owner-type jeeps are all locally assembled and used surplus engine machines mostly from Japan.