The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the implementation of “no beep card, no ride” policy in the EDSA busway, making all transactions cashless starting October 1.
“The move will also pave the way for more seamless and faster transactions, as it will improve waiting time and trim down queuing of passengers,” the statement reads.
According to transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor, the new policy would provide an extra measure to prevent the spread of germs and viruses related to handling cash in public transport.
“We want to make sure that commuters along EDSA will have a safer and comfortable travel, while at the same time providing them a more seamless and efficient system of public transport,” Pastor said.
He added the “no beep card, no ride” policy would complement other health and safety protocols implemented by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on public utility vehicles (PUVs) as social distancing and mandatory wearing of face masks and shields.
The EDSA busway system is a joint project of the DOTr, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) launched on July 1.
The system aims to aid commuters from Monumento in Caloocan to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange within significantly shorter travel time through a dedicated median bus lane.
DOTr implements ‘no beep card, no ride’ in EDSA busway
The LTFRB urged the passengers to purchase and load their beep cards before October 1 to avoid inconveniences once the cashless and automated fare collection system is imposed.
“As we are removing other potential health risks, we also want to limit the time spent in lines that come with having to do cash payments. We are envisioning that more public transport vehicles adopt digital transaction means either through QR codes, online payments, or tying up with cashless payment providers such as beep,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra said.
Commuters could load their beep cards at any LRT and MRT stations, FamilyMart and Ministop branches, Bayad Center, and its affiliates. Over-the-air loading partners such as BPI, Eon by Unibank, Akulaku, and Justpayto could also load beep cards.
The beep card could be used for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3, as well as point-to-point buses, EDSA buses, and modern jeepneys.
It could also be used on tollways and retail partners. The card is reloadable and valid for four years.