(Photo courtesy of DOTr)
QUEZON CITY – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting the implementation of an automated fare collection system (AFCS) along the EDSA Busway before the end of 2026 to provide commuters with faster and more convenient payment options.
The initiative follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve public transportation services and simplify fare payments.
Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said he had instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to coordinate with bus operators and consortiums to introduce the system by December.
Lopez said the DOTr plans to conduct a pilot implementation to assess the system’s effectiveness before its full rollout.
Under the proposed system, commuters may use stored-value cards similar to those used on railway lines, as well as electronic wallets and other digital payment platforms.
The transportation chief emphasized that payment systems must be interoperable, allowing passengers to use different e-wallets and other supported payment methods.
He also directed operators to provide loading kiosks at EDSA Busway stations where passengers can reload their cards or access digital payment services.
According to the DOTr, the automated system will help ensure accurate fare collection while reducing payment-related delays during boarding.
Lopez assured commuters that the introduction of cashless payments would not result in higher fares or additional convenience fees.
The department has already implemented automated fare collection systems on LRT-2 and MRT-3, allowing passengers to pay through Beep cards, credit and debit cards, e-wallets, QR codes, and near-field communication (NFC)-enabled devices.
The planned EDSA Busway rollout forms part of the government’s efforts to modernize public transportation and improve the daily commuting experience.
