Pilot Testing of new LRT Ticketing System starts today

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has started the pilot testing of the new ticketing system at LRT-2 Legarda Station.

[Image Credit]

The modernized ticketing system – which makes use of a new card called “beep card” – is the first transport public-private partnership project (PPP) between DOTC and AF Payments who won the Php1.3USD 0.02INR 2EUR 0.02CNY 0.16 billion contract for the new Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) project.

Under the AFCS agreement, AF Payments will put up and maintain 731 gates, 138 ticket vending machines (TVM) and 212 point-of-sale devices on all LRT-1, LRT-2 and MRT-3 stations.

. . . one of the first users of the new beep card ticketing system at Legarda Station. pic.twitter.com/O3sNoPORHC

— Hernando T. Cabrera (@attycabs) July 19, 2015

During the pilot testing phase, a limited number of beep cards are only sold at LRT Legarda Station for Php20USD 0.34INR 29EUR 0.32CNY 2 through a designated window or the two ticket vending machines, but will be available on all LRT stations after the testing phase.

The new “beep cards” are embedded with microchips instead of magnetic stripe found on old cards. This will allow for a more seamless payment system for commuters, as well as extend the longevity of the card.

The beep cards are used as a stored value card and are valid for use up to 4 years. Commuters can purchase top-ups for their beep card ranging from Php12USD 0.20INR 17EUR 0.19CNY 1 (minimum) up to Php10,000USD 170INR 14,446EUR 162CNY 1,241 (maximum). Meanwhile, single journey tickets are available in Php15USD 0.26INR 22EUR 0.24CNY 2, Php20USD 0.34INR 29EUR 0.32CNY 2 and Php30USD 0.51INR 43EUR 0.49CNY 4 denominations.