DAVAO CITY (June 2) – Commuters using the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) lines will soon experience a major convenience boost as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced it will begin rolling out cashless fare payment systems this July—allowing passengers to use credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets like GCash and Maya to pay for their train rides.
The move is in direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize public transport and make daily commutes smoother and more efficient for Filipinos.
“This July, we will implement a system where you can just tap your card or phone at the MRT and LRT turnstiles—no more need to buy or reload a Beep card,” said DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon in a media briefing Friday.
Passengers will be able to tap their cards or smartphones on new automated fare collection (AFC) turnstiles, replicating systems already widely used in cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and London.
No Beep Card? No Problem.
The upgrade effectively eliminates the current dependency on the Beep card, a stored-value smart card that has long been required for riding Metro Manila’s train systems. Once the new open-loop system is in place, commuters will have access to a wider range of payment options—streamlining travel and reducing queues at loading kiosks.
“I wondered why this wasn’t implemented sooner,” Dizon remarked. “It turns out we had the capacity, so we’re fast-tracking it as ordered by the President.”
Inspired by Global Best Practices
President Marcos has repeatedly pushed for world-class infrastructure and public service upgrades that reflect global standards, including transport systems that are inclusive, accessible, and cashless.
“This is already being done abroad,” Dizon noted. “The President said, if they can do it in other countries, we should do it here too—for the benefit of our fellow Filipinos.”
Rollout Starts July
The DOTr is currently coordinating with financial institutions and transport operators to ensure a smooth launch. Pilot testing and public information campaigns are expected to begin ahead of the full deployment to help commuters familiarize themselves with the new system.
The implementation will begin with MRT-3 and select LRT stations, with further expansion across other railway lines to follow.
For millions of daily train riders in Metro Manila, this initiative marks a major leap toward convenience, faster queues, and digital-ready commuting—ushering in a future where your next ride is just a tap away.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
