The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to conduct this March the pilot testing on the use or credit and ATM cards for the payment of fares.
The pilot test of the new system will initially be conducted on selected modern jeepney routes.
“Following the instruction of Secretary Arthur Tugade, is mag-implement ng open integrated cashless fare collection system (we will implement an open integrated cashless fare collection system),” DOTr USec. TJ Batan stated.
It can be recalled that the simulation for the use of ATM and debit card as a mode of cashless payment of jeepney, bus, and train fares was conducted last December. On security and hacking concerns, the DOTr, assured that the technology and security protocols in the platform will be regulated by the central bank.
Batan said the readers that will be utilized as fare collection devices are required to undergo testing and certification “following EMVCo procedures” before they are put to use.
The use of ATM and credit cards is part of the interoperability of the Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) of the DOTr AMID the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of QR codes is also being eyed. – Report form Karen Villanda
