As motorcyclists, we often do not require the services of public transport. It's actually one of the main reasons why we opted to ride our motorcycles to and from work. It saves us spending an awful lot of time in line just to board the bus or the train – time that is better spent with our loved ones at home.
However, there could be times that we don’t have much choice but to use public transport again, like when our motorcycle has a mechanical failure or a flat tire and you just need to board the bus to catch work for the day.
If so, please be advised that starting October 1, 2020, buses plying EDSA will be implementing a cashless payment system in the form of Beep cards, through the order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Beep cards are stored-value contactless cards that provide an easier, modern, and more convenient way of paying for the ride. Fare is deducted from the card upon tapping at its fare collection machine. This system is currently being used in Metro Manila’s three elevated railways, LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, and by a number of Point-to-Point buses and modern PUVs nationwide.
DOTr assistant secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, Steve Pastor, explained that this is an essential safety measure to reduce the spread of the virus associated with the handling of cash in public transport.
The LTFRB, on the other hand, has urged EDSA Busway patrons to purchase their Beep cards and to load cash into the cards to avoid inconveniences in payment once the automated fare collection system is implemented.
“We are envisioning that even more public transport vehicles adopt digital transactions means, either through QR codes, online payments, or tying up with cashless payment providers such as Beep,” said LTFRB chairman, Martin Delgra.
