DOTr: automated fare collection to improve public transportation

The leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the automated fare collection system (AFCS) will elevate the Philippines’ transportation to become at par with other progressive countries.

During the pilot production testing project for the AFCS Europay-Mastercard-Visa (EMV) at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista — delivered by DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor —  said that the such method will help bring convenience to the riding public.

“The institutionalization of the AFCS will bring us closer to the goal of achieving global standards in cashless payments when commuting, following the norm in many other countries that have long been using this system,” Bautista said.

The DOTr chief cited that many commuters in the country have seen the AFCS’ benefits in public utility vehicles (PUV).

“I would like to believe that the majority of our commuters, not just here in Metro Manila, have overcome the reluctance to embrace technology in our mass transport system because they have seen the significance of technological advancements to ease their commute,” he explained.

“The introduction of the AFCS EMV PPT will push further our aim to establish a cashless payment in our modern PUVs since this will be the basis for the promulgation of a comprehensive policy for convenient and safe cashless payments and a tool for evidence-based transport planning,” Bautista added.

According to the DOTr, the AFCS pilot production testing is eyeing to verify the entire AFCS under a real-time operating condition as well as the major functionalities of the country’s transit system, and establish end-to-end AFCS processing and acceptance of EMV compliant contactless cards as a transit payment instrument.

The department shared that the AFCS uses EMV-compliant contactless credit, debit and prepaid bank cards as cashless payment instruments in public transport modes.

The project will be implemented  in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon,  CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Quezon) Region, and Central Visayas with 150 PUV units to be utilized.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chair Atty. Cheloy Garafil noted that the DOTr’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) is focused on interconnectivity and convenience for commuters by centralizing payment in modern PUVs .

“As part of the PUVMP, they have seen it aims to centralize payment not only in modern PUJ but often other modes of Public transportation, establishing interconnectivity for the convenience of the commuters,” Garafil said, adding that the cashless payment option will help eliminate the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

For her part, Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Borromeo expressed the institution's support for the initiative.

“The Landbank extends itssteadfast support for this project, through the smooth implementation of interoperable, cashless, and contactless payment system in public utility vehicles,” Borromeo said.

Photos from Department of Transportation Facebook Page

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