All of the more than 20 million GCash account-holders in the country can now use the financial solution app’s QR (quick response code) payment feature to pay for transport tickets whenever they ride the BGC Bus (going to and from the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City) and Topline Express Ferries (a Cebu-based ferry system).
AF Payments Inc., an MPIC-Ayala Corp. consortium and the firm behind the 6.5-million-user beep cards that have been modernizing the payment and ticketing system in the local transportation sector, has recently started implementing the first QR code transport ticketing system in the Philippines.
“This is a new era in transport ticketing,” said AF Payments Chairman of the Board Joey Lim. “It’s a smart solution where both operators and commuters enjoy the efficiency and ease of use associated with QR technology. We are grateful to our partners for supporting the initiative and hope to replicate the same elsewhere in the Philippines.”
How it works
To use this new payment method, a GCash user needs to first open the app on his/her smartphone. Through the Pay QR feature, a new QR code will be generated, which must be scanned on the beep QR Reader located at the transport terminal. The QR ticket will automatically be printed and the corresponding fare will be duly deducted from the GCash account.
“As we continue to find ways to enable a cashless ecosystem, we will always challenge ourselves to explore more ways to leverage on our technology to improve the experience of our customers,” said Anthony Thomas, CEO of Mynt, the operator of GCash. “We plan to replicate this model with other transport service providers.”
Other players
Aside from using the GCash app, commuters can also opt to buy QR code-based tickets that can be scanned before boarding the BGC Bus or Topline Express Ferries. This new system is now replacing the manually validated paper ticketing for faster validation and hassle-free passenger experience.
The QR code payment system is also open to other transport operators, payment firms, and developers in an effort of beep cards to widen the local reach of QR ticketing. AF Payments President Rene Almendras said doing such will accelerate the growth of QR ticketing and payments across the country. “For more information on how you can participate in this initiative, visit our beep business website at business.beeptopay.com,” he announced.
