Passengers can use debit cards, credit cards, and e-wallets to pay the fare in Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) starting July, eliminating long lines at train stations, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Instead of buying and reloading Beep cards or stored-value smart cards used in LRT and MRT, passengers can simply tap their phones or cards at the turnstile upon their entry to the railway platform.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said the department will start deploying cashless turnstiles for the automatic fare collection (AFC) system next month.
“Mga bandang July ito, if I’m not mistaken. I-implement na natin sa MRT at sa ibang mga tren natin. Alam ko pati credit card puwede na. Ita-tap mo na lang ‘yung phone mo. Hindi ka na kailangan bumili ng Beep,” he said.
(This will be around July, if I’m not mistaken. We will implement it on the MRT and on our other trains. I know that credit cards can also be used. Just tap your phone. You don’t need to buy a Beep card.)
“Nagtaka nga ako bakit hindi ito kaagad na-implement, ‘yun naman pala kaya i-implement kaagad-agad itong cashless options sa MRT,” he added.
(I was wondering why it wasn’t implemented right away, the cashless options on the MRT can be implemented right away actually.)
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the DOTr to develop an open-loop payment system that is integrated with multiple financial platforms, Dizon said.
According to a report of EJ Gomez on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, some passengers said the cashless transaction in LRT and MRT is good news for them.
The passengers said the move will eradicate long lines, hassles, and health risks. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News
