Beep cards for passenger buses are currently undergoing a testing phase, and its concessionaire says that if no problems arise, they will be fully operational by the third quarter of 2016.
Beep card concessionaire AF Payments Inc. (AFPI) last month signed agreements with bus operators Froehlich Tours, Citylink Coach Services, and HM Transport to incorporate the tap payment system.
Froelich Tours covers the Trinoma to Makati and SM North EDSA to SM Megamall route; Citylink Coach Services covers Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, San Lorenzo Place, McKinley Hill and Newport City; and HM Transport covers the airport loop.
Currently, HM Transport is the only bus operator accepting payment through beep card while on testing phase.
AFPI said the beep cards, which were initially launched for use in the railway stations like the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) and the Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and 2), is also the same card that will be used for buses.
Passengers can determine if a bus unit accepts payment via beep card when a beep sticker can be found on the side or front window of the bus.
However, passengers can only purchase and replace beep cards at the stations of MRT-3, LRT-1 and 2.
Aside from beep cards, another tap payment system, ePlus, can also be used in Froehlich Tours buses starting late this month.
First launched in 2012, the ePlus is similar to beep in payment options, but differs as it also has an integrated e-wallet that can be used for payment in retail, transport, leisure, dining, and entertainment. — PNA
