Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Commuters can now use the magnetic card in Metro Manila’s three major rail transit systems. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) started using the “tap-and-go” system on Saturday (October 3).
In a news conference at MRT Ayala Station on Monday (October 5), the AF Payments Inc. announced the interoperability of the beep card across the three train lines.
The contactless beep card can be used in the MRT-3 and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2, both northbound and southbound.
AF Payments CEO Peter Maher said the unified automated fare collection system has the goal of providing seamless transfer of 1.5 million commuters daily in the three rail transit systems.
Maher and transport officials hope that this new system will help shorten queues during rush hour and improve the overall commuting experience.
But some commuters can’t see the difference just yet, adding that the ‘tap-and-go’ process is still similar to the old electronic system.
“Okay naman siya. Hindi ko lang masabi kung mabilis kasi ganun din naman, pag labas mo, isaswipe mo rin siya na parang lumang [system] lang,” said commuter Ralph de los Reyes.
Maher appealed to commuters to be more patient, as it will definitely take some time before everyone could adjust to the new system.
“All the Filipinos could see the improvements to the service in the coming months,” he said.
He also asked for more patience from commuters, especially with the train operation staff because they are also just learning about the system and equipment.
MRT General Manager Roman Buenafe echoed Maher’s statement, adding that there would be a learning curve for the use of the new system.
“Ang learning curve based sa engineering, mga two months yan. Pero sasabihin ko, mga less than two months, gamay na ng mga tao ko ‘yan,” he added.
More or less 50,000 tickets have been sold by the MRT last week. The beep card, which expires after four years, can be reloaded with up to P10,000.
The beep card was first used in LRT Line 2 in July, and in August for the LRT Line 1.
