LRT1 starts trial run of unified ticketing scheme August 16

MANILA, Philippines – Southbound passengers of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) can try out the new unified automated fare collection system (AFCS) starting Sunday, August 16.

On Thursday, August 13, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and AF Payments Incorporated announced the start of the public trial on LRT1’s southbound direction, which comes 3 weeks after the pilot test for the new contactless beep stored value cards and single journey tickets was conducted on Line 2 of the mass transit line.

Passengers who bought a beep card at the LRT2 during the trial period can start using their cards in the southbound line of the LRT1 beginning August 16.

“The positive results of the trial at LRT2 give us and the LRTA the confidence to implement a similar public trial on the southbound direction of LRT1,” said AF Payments Inc chief operating officer Peter Maher.

Starting Sunday, all 20 stations on the southbound direction of the LRT1 will be selling and re-loading the new tap-and-go tickets.

The beep cards will be sold for P20 ($0.43), and can be loaded and reloaded with a minimum of P12 ($0.26) to a maximum of P10,000 ($216.89).

Ahead of the pilot run on Sunday, AF Payments will also be selling pre-loaded beep cards from August 10 to 14 at the following LRT1 stations:

• Roosevelt
• Doroteo Jose
• Central
• EDSA
• Gil Puyat
• Monumento
• Baclaran

The cards will be sold for P100, and come with P80 load.

“We encourage commuters who regularly use LRT1 and are interested in trying out the new system to purchase their beep cards during the pre-selling period so they don’t have to line up to buy their cards on August 16,” Maher said.

The pre-loaded cards will be available starting August 17 at the following locations: Unibersidad de Manila, Philippine Normal University, Technical University of the Philippines, Masagana Building and Victory Mall.

As the LRT1 begins its transition to the new system, Maher appealed for patience from commuters. Longer waiting times are expected at LRT1 stations as riders familiarize themselves with the new tap-and-go scheme.

“We hope to minimize any inconvenience to the public during the trial and transition to the new system on LRT1 [southbound] which is planned to be completed within a matter of weeks. We appreciate the public’s patience during this period,” he said.

The LRTA earlier announced that it will stop selling magnetic cards for LRT1 stations in preparation for the transition to the new system.

Holders of the old magnetic stored value cards may get their cash refunds in LRT1 stations from August 8 to 15.

After this period, passengers may have their unused credits transferred to the new beep cards starting August 16 at the teller’s booth of the LRT1 Central Station, LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said.

For updates regarding the rollout schedules and other information, commuters are advised to follow Beep on Facebook (beepcardph) and Twitter (@beep_card). – Rappler.com

$1 = P46.11