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AF Payments Inc. will deliver 125,000 free beep cards, amounting to P10 million in discounted retail costs, to travelers and is now developing a cashless payments platform as an alternative to its tap-and-go payments system.
The company, run by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., said it will help “ease the burden on passengers who have trouble buying a sound card” by providing free cards to “people in need.”
“This offering has been made possible by our shareholders and business groups, who graciously donated the funds necessary to pay for up to 125,000 free cards,” the company said.
Currently, sound cards are sold at P80 each, “which covers only part of the cost of logistics, production, initialization, printing and distribution.”
To recall, the Department of Transportation called for free distribution of sound cards to travelers, after receiving reports that travelers were finding it difficult to acquire a card due to cost.
He then threatened the company that it could be replaced by a different supplier if it did not.
Beep cards are currently being used in different modes of transport, but the transportation department highlighted the need for free cards for those traveling on the Edsa Busway.
Apart from the limited issuance of free sound cards, the company is now developing a new payment system as an alternative to the sound card.
“In response to concerns that some passengers may not be able to purchase a sound card, we have offered operators a system upgrade that will allow passengers using the Edsa bus loop to use a QR ticket, paper or mobile phone, instead of a beep card. The QR paper tickets will cost nothing in addition to the regular fare for the desired trip, ”said AF Payments.
He noted that as soon as the QR code ticket system is in place, it will no longer issue free sound cards to travelers.
“At this time, passengers who do not want a sound card can make use of a QR ticket, which does not carry any additional cost and will only require the payment of the exact fare between the desired stops,” said the company.
The enhanced bus validation will also be able to accept mobile phone-based QR tickets that can be generated from banking apps or e-wallets.
“We invite all interested parties to register and participate as a QR ticket issuer. We opened the necessary technical specifications and made them available on the Internet for free for all interested parties to develop the technology to issue a ticket, ”the company said.
The transportation department has not yet responded to requests for comment as of press time.
