Commuters in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, can now enjoy a more convenient way to pay for their bus fares using Mastercard credit, debit, and prepaid cards. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Metro Manila’s public transportation, as Mastercard becomes the first international payment network to enable tap-and-go payments for public transport in the region.
Mastercard Philippines Country Manager Simon Javier Calasanz announced the development during a press briefing on November 21. “It is the first international payment network to enable tap-and-go payment options in public transport in Metro Manila,” he stated.
This innovation is the result of a partnership between Mastercard and AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the creator of the widely-used Beep cards. The contactless payment system is designed to reduce long lines during peak hours and provide commuters with a seamless, ticketless, and cashless commuting experience.
Expanding Contactless Payments Across Metro Manila
The contactless payment rollout in BGC buses is only the first phase of the Mastercard and AFPI collaboration. AFPI President and CEO Jonathan Juan Moreno highlighted plans to expand the scheme to EDSA buses and the MRT-3 in the near future.
“That’s just the start,” Moreno said. “We need to show it’s manageable because BGC is a self-contained entity. Then we go for a bus system as extensive as EDSA, and then we’ll try rail.”
Addressing Sustainability and Security
As part of their efforts to modernize public transportation, AFPI is also working to upgrade the chips used in Beep cards to ensure greater security and integrate advanced technology. Moreno assured that the upgraded chips would not increase the cost for commuters.
However, with the government’s agreement to provide free services set to end next year, AFPI is considering adjustments to Beep card transaction fees. “We, in fact, pay the government to provide the service for free,” Moreno explained, emphasizing the need for a sustainable economic model to continue operations.
Alignng with the National Digital Transformation
The Mastercard-AFPI initiative aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2020-2023, which aims to digitize 50% of all transactions in the country. The Department of Transportation also supports a unified fare collection system using debit and credit cards across all public utility vehicles, including jeepneys.
With these advancements, commuting in Metro Manila is set to become faster, safer, and more convenient for millions of Filipinos.
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