DOTr will suspend the use of sound cards at Edsa Busway if the cards are not free

Passengers queue to board Edsa Carousel buses at Monumento, Caloocan City on September 30, 2020. The Department of Transportation announced the implementation of a fully cashless transaction system using Beep Cards on the public service buses of the system. EDSA bus lanes effective October 1, as Policy No Beep Card, No Ride. Infant Jesus Orbeta / Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) warned Saturday that they will suspend the use of sound cards for Edsa Busway travelers if AF Payments Inc. (AFPI) does not issue the cards for free.

DOTr issued the warning after reiterating its call to AFPI to remove the service fee and other fees on the rate card that the Department of Transportation said were causing an “additional burden” on travelers amid the pandemic.

“These are the common travelers who are still recovering from the impact of COVID-19 and strictly enforced community quarantines on their livelihoods. Therefore, they must get rid of this additional burden, ”the statement read.

During the first day of the Automatic Fare Collection System (ACFS), travelers complained about overpriced fare cards, as some were sold at bus stations for P180 or P100 and with a charge of P80.

With this, the DOTr asked AFPI to cooperate with the order or the use of the sound card on the Edsa busway will be ruled out.

“Therefore, if AFPI refuses to cooperate by allowing free use of the ‘bip’ card to travelers after payment of the fare, DOTr will have to suspend its use on the EDSA busway to alleviate travelers’ burden, “the statement read.

DOTr also noted that its deputy agency, the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will soon draft a circular memorandum directing all public utility vehicle (PUV) operators not to spend the cost of the cashless payment system , especially the AFCS card, to travelers. “