MANILA, Philippines — Commuters may soon be able to generate QR (quick response) code-based tickets via the Beep application on their mobile phones for their fares at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains and buses, providing another digital payment option for their travels.
This will be enabled by the partnership of Beep operator AF Payments Inc. (AFPI) and software firm Multisys Technologies Corp., which are targeting to deploy the solution within the year.
The mobile-based payment option is in line with the push of an automated fare collection system to make commuting more convenient.
“[W]e are broadening our payment solutions, making it simpler and more convenient for commuters to access transportation services through their mobile devices,” AFPI CEO Jonathan Juan Moreno said.
READ: Amid beep card shortage, DOTr eyes mobile QR ticketing code
Before this, AFPI also teamed up with international financial institution Mastercard to allow the latter’s cardholders to use their cards as a form of payment for their rides at MRT 3 and Bonifacio Global City and Edsa buses.
Both payment solutions eliminate the need for commuters to buy separate tickets for different rides.
Mastercard has also enabled open-loop transit systems—which support the use of single payment methods for convenience—in major cities like London, Sydney, and Singapore.
READ: This credit card may soon be used in place of Beep
Prior to this initiative, digital bank Maya, Light Rail Manila Corp., and AFPI also collaborated for QR code-based payments at LRT-1.
Maya users can generate a QR after paying for the ticket via the app. The code can then be used for tapping in and out of the train stations. —TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD INQ