THE operator of the country’s tap-and-go payment system has entered into agreements with three bus operators for the use of the contactless beep card in their transport services.
The agreements with Froehlich Tours, HM Transport and Citylink Coach Services marks AF Payments Inc.’s first venture with bus companies serving commuters within Metro Manila.
The partnerships cover the following routes: TriNoMa to Makati and SM North Edsa to SM Megamall for Froehlich Tours; Airport Loop for HM Transport; and Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, San Lorenzo Place, McKinley Hill and Newport City for Citylink Coach Services.
“We are delighted to have forged partnerships with leading bus operators to offer the beep card to their riders. This is an important milestone for AF Payments and a welcome development for commuters who have long wished for a truly convenient travel card for journeys within the Metro area,” AF Payments President and CEO Peter Maher said on Friday.
Currently, the group is testing the new system across all partner-bus operators. The group hopes to bring the system online in the very near future.
“As soon as we go live, the 1.75 million beep cards in circulation will be accepted on those buses displaying the beep acceptance mark,” Maher said.
AF Payments is calling on other bus operators in the city to join the service and enjoy the many benefits of cashless ticketing, including considerable savings on operational expenses associated with ticket issuance and fare collection.
The beep card is a tap-and-go payment system accepted in all three elevated railways.
AF Payments is also aiming to expand the usage of the card to other modes of transportation, expressways, for example. It also plans to expand the system to retail.