End of an era for artsy Philippine 'jeepney' bus

MANILA - Bernardo de la Cruz casts his eyes around the nearly silent workshop where he used to toil overtime hand-painting custom decor on jeepneys, the singularly Philippine minibuses facing the scrap heap.

These rolling art galleries adorned with images of everything from Batman to babies, as well as disco lights and chrome wheels, have for decades provided cheap transport for millions.

But pollution and safety concerns have led to a modernization program, with jeepneys 15 years or older to be taken off the streets by 2020.