PLDT, Beep card creator team up to modernize public transport

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. has sealed a strategic partnership with affiliate AF Payments Inc. to upgrade fare and tracking systems in the transport sector.

AF Payments, the company behind the Beep card that is used in Metro Manila’s railways and other transportation services, is led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., an affiliate of PLDT.

Under the agreement, AF Payments will combine its automatic fare collection system with PLDT Enterprise’s Smart Tracker solution.

This will create a single product for public transport operators to access fare collection and fleet management solutions.

“The strategic partnership’s goal is to make it easier for public transport operators to meet the demand for effective fleet management and modern fare collection,” PLDT said.

Jovy Hernandez, who heads PLDT and Smart Enterprise, said the partnership was a step toward modernizing transport modes.

“Bus companies can manage their operations better and the public will be assured of a simpler and safer way to commute with contactless payments,” he said in a statement.

JPV