DOTr eyes use of credit, debit cards in public transpo

The Department of Transportation is working on allowing commuters to use credit and debit cards to pay fares in public transportation.

File photo: Tamiya Dyipne

Credit and debit cards for your transport fares, anyone?

According to an article by The Philippine Star, DOTr Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said they are finalizing a feasibility study for an automated fare collection system to be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority for review.

We have to finalize the feasibility study that will be submitted to NEDA, which is in the final stage. I think in the next three months, we can discuss it with NEDA already, Chavez said in an interview.

He noted the PHP 4.5-billion project is expected to be launched in one and a half to two years.

The program will include various card issuers, like Mastercard and Visa. Once implemented, commuters may already use their credit or debit cards in buses, jeepneys, railways, and airlines.

AFCS will also include the beep card in its system, Chavez noted.

File photo: DOTr logo

ThebBeep card is currently a stored value system being used in rail line systems owned by the government.

With its inclusion in the AFCS, its coverage will be expanded to other transportation systems.

Credit and debit cards for your transport fares. What do you think about this proposed policy?

Source: The Philippine Star