DOTr suspends mandatory use of Beep cards for EDSA buses as of October 5

MANILA – (UDPATE) The government said on Sunday it will suspend the mandatory use of Beep cards for EDSA buses starting Monday, October 5 amid complaints about the cost of the cards.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said they were “saddened by the refusal of AF Payments, Inc., the provider of the automatic fare collection system (AFCS) on the highway. EDSA bus station, to waive the cost of the sound card despite consistent pleas made by the government. ”

“Therefore, as of Monday, October 5, 2020, we will suspend the mandatory use of sound cards on the EDSA busway until the problem is resolved.”

The DOTr said a dual payment system for EDSA Busway riders will be honored.

“Those who have already purchased or have existing sound cards can use them to pay fees,” DOTr said.

Travelers who do not yet have a card can pay for their ticket in cash at bus stations.

The government previously ordered EDSA bus operators to switch to a cashless fare payment system to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among passengers.

The use of Beep cards became mandatory on October 1, and many travelers are unaware of the switch to cashless payments, resulting in long lines at many bus stations.

Many passengers also complained about the P80 cost of the Beep cards.

However, AF Payments said that the cost of the cards was already “partially subsidized” and that the company was not making any money from the sales of the cards.

Bus operators also said that travelers from provinces near Metro Manila might find the Beep cards confusing, as only some of them have used stored value cards before the pandemic.

The DOTr said the EDSA bus consortia said they will look for another AFCS provider.

A meeting with other AFCS providers is scheduled for Tuesday morning, DOTr said.

The government said that giving away the sound cards would have made a big difference for travelers, mostly the daily wage earners who are hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.