Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) passengers can pay for fares using Mastercard credit, debit, and prepaid cards by tapping contactless turnstiles, eliminating the need for cash or stored-value cards.

The new tap-to-pay feature, which takes effect on Friday, works with compatible e-wallets on NFC-enabled Android smartphones, offering commuters more convenient and flexible options for daily travel.

With over 13 million people in Metro Manila depending on public transport, the Department of Transportation said the upgrade to a contactless payment system is expected to reduce queues, speed up boarding, and support the government’s shift to more efficient and digitally enabled mobility.

Additionally, an open-loop payment system allows riders to use existing bank cards or digital wallets instead of proprietary transit cards. 

The system also enhances commuter security with Mastercard’s built-in fraud protection technology.