DOTr-LTFRB partners with GCash digital payments for taxis, TNVS

The Department of Transportation-Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (DOTr-LTFRB) partnered with virtual wallet app GCash to enable taxis and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) provide cashless and contactless transactions.

“Cashless and contactless payment schemes will now be part of the ‘new normal’ in the public transportation system. This should not be treated by taxi operators as another transaction cost. Rather, this move intends to limit direct physical contact between drivers and their passengers and help stop the spread of COVID-19. I am very grateful to GCash for making this new arrangement happen,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said Friday.

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Taxi operators and transport network companies (TNCs) are allowed to resume operations in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas.

Through GCash, passengers could pay fares through the scan-to-pay (STP) app through its QR technology.

GCash users would simply scan the unique QR code of the taxi unit they are riding to pay for their metered fares.

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GCash also offers the GCash PowerPay+ solution to taxi operators.

Also read: 435,619 PUV drivers to receive cash aid from gov’t

GCash digital payments for taxis, TNVS

GCash PowerPay+ would allow companies to disburse salaries, allowances, and commissions to their employees nationwide. 

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GCash users could also use their GCash accounts to pay for their transactions, both online and offline. The platform could transact with over 70,000 billers and merchants and transfer funds to over 40 banks in the country. 

“GCash strongly supports the government’s call for the use of mobile payments to lessen the risk of spreading COVID-19 through surfaces such as paper money. We laud the strong and wise decision of DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III in implementing the cashless payments program, as we move forward to the new normal,” GCash head of payments Jovit Bajar said.

In LTFRB’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-018, the agency mandated taxis and TNVS to collect fares “strictly through cashless payment or through online payment facility only.”

GCash is now collaborating with various taxi operators nationwide to implement the said fare payment scheme.

“The implementation of cashless transactions for transportation in the new normal promotes greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency. It also allows drivers to participate in the financial landscape through financial technology. As a strong government partner, GCash fully supports this initiative, and we are more than willing to pour in more support to other government endeavors,” Bajar added.