Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — LRT-1 stations, which are smaller and have fewer turnstiles, will be fully converted to the new “tap and go” ticketing system.
Old turnstiles will be removed from all northbound stations on Saturday (August 8) and will be replaced with the new automatic turnstiles, in preparation for the new system. While the transition is ongoing, old magnetic cards will be replaced with paper tickets.
Using paper tickets, LRT-1 passengers would have to pass through service gates, which may lead to longer lines and waiting time. The security guards will inspect and collect the tickets.
The LRT management said paper tickets have security features to avoid the spreading of fake tickets. The color coding of these tickets will also be changed from time to time.
Holders of stored value cards with remaining credits can avail of a cash refund from August 8 to August 15.
“Puwede i-cash refund ang stored value cards. Pero sa mga hindi [makaka-refund] from August 8 to August 15, puwede palitan ng bagong card pero hindi muna magagamit hanggang hindi pa online ang bagong turnstiles,” Hernando Cabrera, spokesperson of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), said.
Once the new turnstiles are in place, a series of tests and dry runs will be held before the “tap and go” system runs.
The larger LRT-2 stations, which have more turnstiles, will maintain both old and new ticketing systems. This means passengers there can still buy both old and new tickets.
So far, the pilot testing in LRT-2 has been successful, according to LRT officials.
Related: Pilot test for ‘tap and go’ system starts at LRT-2
But the transition from old to the new ticketing system led to losses as management said some employees were involved in ticket pilferage.
According to the group Bayan, this matter should not be taken lightly. The LRT management, however, said it has already filed cases against the erring employees.
Related: Bayan to DOTC: Address availability of trains first
