Confusion, complaints, and long queues greeted the first day of “no beep card, no ride” policy implementation on the EDSA busway, or the mandatory use of Beep cards on EDSA buses.
Some commuters also complained of the high cost of the beep cards.
At the bus stop, the price of the Beep card is P180. It contains a P100 load and can be used as a fare to the destination. Those without a Beep card will not be able to board the bus.
Compared to previous days, the queue of passengers at the EDSA Monument Bus Stop is longer and slower.
Some passengers admit that they are burdened with having to pay for the card.
“Hindi na namin alam ‘yan. Tulad ngayon ang pamasahe ko balikan lang wala ako pambili ng Beep card. Haba pa ng pila namin abot hanggang palengke,” said passenger Armando Echegerezza.
“Magkano ito P180 ang laman P100 lang po. Pano naman ‘yung iba kanina ‘yung nakapila dun ‘yung pera niya kulang ng P20 ayaw pagbigyan, papaano naman ‘yung mga ganun?” another commuter said.
Although many are confused, some support the new system to prevent direct contact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOTr chief wants beep cards free
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he was negotiating to make the charge on Beep cards free for commuters.
“Dapat libre lang ang card. We are still under quarantine measures. Workers who have just returned to work are the main users of the rail system and the EDSA Busway. Malaking bagay para sa mga ordinaryong manggagawa ang P30-P50 na ikakaltas para bayaran ang Beep card. Pasahe din ‘yun. They should be spared from the burden of having to pay the price of the beep card on top of their fares,” Tugade said.
Commuters should also have the option to load the cards according to the fare they need.
Beep cards can be purchased or reloaded at LRT and MRT-3 stations, some convenience stores, Payment Center outlets and their partners, or at loading partners such as BPI, Eon by Unibank, Akulaku, and Justpayto.