Beep cards level up by Q3 2024
‘The delivery of the contractor or the concessionaire of the stored value cards is on time based on the requirements that Light Rail Transit Authority and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 management requested from them’
Daily Tribune‘The delivery of the contractor or the concessionaire of the stored value cards is on time based on the requirements that Light Rail Transit Authority and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 management requested from them’
The Department of Transportation or DoTr announced that the operator of the stored-value or "beep" cards is expected to complete its transition to a more advanced technology by the third quarter of next year.
Transportation Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino told reporters on Tuesday that the automated fare collection system or AFCS team aims to introduce smarter contactless cards with chips that are more globally accessible.
"The delivery of the contractor or the concessionaire of the stored value cards is on time based on the requirements that Light Rail Transit Authority and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 management requested from them," Aquino said.
Chip incorporated
"They will be introducing a new chip in their cards. As per the concessionaire, it is expected by around the third quarter of next year. They upgraded their existing technology," she added.
AF Payments Inc., owned by the Ayala Group and the First Pacific Group, is the provider of beep cards used in rail lines, buses and modern public utility vehicles.
It can be recalled that beep cards, which are widely used in rail lines, buses and modern public utility vehicles, were previously sold at a higher price due to scarcity as the chip used in card manufacturing dwindled globally.
Nonetheless, Aquino assured that there is currently enough supply of beep cards for commuters.
"We do have supplies, but some passengers tend to buy more than one — that's what happens," she added.
The DoTr previously announced plans to explore various cashless payment options, including QR codes, debit cards and credit cards, as part of its efforts to enhance the country's mass transportation system.
