Visa has partnered with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer, to enable the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Bacolod City. This marks Visa’s second transit project in the Philippines, following its first transit project launch in Cebu.
Today, Visa unveiled this initiative during the annual MassKara Festival, together with representatives from GTSI, GHL, and EastWest Bank. The initiative features 45 modern jeepneys equipped with Visa payment terminals. Passengers can now enjoy seamless, cashless transactions by tapping their Visa cards. The modern jeepneys also feature bus wraps promoting the EastWest Pay app, allowing users to link their EastWest Visa credit cards to Android smartphones for easy tap-to-pay purchases.
Jeff Navarro, country manager for Visa Philippines, said, “We are thrilled to launch our second transit project in Bacolod City. This initiative aims to enhance travel experiences for commuters and tourists by providing more payment options. Visa is committed to improving payments in transit services, especially with the crucial role that transit plays in everyone’s daily lives. By enabling contactless payments, we establish a seamless, cross-border travel experience with a unified digital payment solution. This project aligns with Visa’s goal of fostering a cashless, digitally empowered ecosystem and driving innovation in transit solutions in the Philippines.”
A YouGov survey commissioned by Visa revealed that 67% of Filipinos are more likely to obtain a contactless card if it can be used for transport. Visa has launched over 100 urban mobility projects across Asia, including cities like Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. The Bacolod City project signifies Visa’s commitment to enhancing transit services in the Philippines, with plans to expand further.
The Transit experience
According to the Bacolod City Tourism Office, tourist arrivals increased 26% year over year from January to December 2023. Complementing this growth, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed a P34.3-million project to improve Hernaez (Libertad) Street, enhancing safety and accessibility. These developments enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors, reinforcing Bacolod City’s status as a premier tourist destination.
Alywin “Mia” P. Tamayo, SVP & Head of Credit Cards Business, EastWest Bank, said, “EastWest Bank, in partnership with Visa, is excited to promote the EastWest Pay app on Bacolod City’s modern jeepneys. Our app enables cashless and contactless transactions with a simple smartphone tap, blending the benefits of a credit card and a mobile wallet while enhancing security with biometrics and tokenization. Our fintech innovations are essential for economic growth and improving customer experience, particularly with this new transit project in Bacolod City.
Brezhnev Tero, CEO of Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), said, “We are incredibly thankful to Visa, EastWest Bank, and GHL for their support in making this vision a reality, not just in Bacolod City, but in all the regions where we will be deploying our solution. Introducing the EastWest Pay app across our transport network will revolutionize how commuters pay for fares, ensuring a more modern and efficient travel experience. We aim to enhance the user experience by providing simple, fast, and secure payment options.”
Jay Tirona, CEO of GHL Systems Philippines Inc., said, “Filipinos deserve progress. This partnership shows how technology and payment innovation can deliver for the common good. With contactless payments in jeepneys, we’re driving positive change that will improve the daily commute for Filipinos and tourists alike. We are committed and happy to support and drive these advancements in the nationwide public transit experience by simplifying payments and making them more secure.”
“Each transit project in the Philippines promotes financial inclusion by increasing awareness and using digital payment methods. Our efforts also enhance the infrastructure supporting these transactions, making it easier for passengers to adopt digital payments, regardless of their banking experience. Additionally, this initiative boosts financial literacy, empowering unbanked and underserved populations with secure and convenient payment solutions,” added Navarro.
According to Visa’s 2023 Global Urban Mobility Study, 96% of Asia Pacific commuters expect contactless payment options in public transit, simplifying fare payment and boosting public transportation usage. Visa’s strong track record of over 1,000 transit projects promotes sustainable mobility by partnering with transit agencies globally.