PayMaya, Beep to be allowed soon in NLEX, SCTEX

MANILA, Philippines – Motorists passing through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) can use PayMaya and Beep cards for payment by the first quarter of 2017.

“The testing is ongoing for PayMaya and Beep cards,” Romulo Quimbo Jr., legal and regulatory affairs head of Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC), said in a media briefing in Makati City on Thursday, December 22.

MPTDC is the parent firm of the Manila North Tollways Corporation, which operates NLEX and SCTEX. MPTDC is one of the subsidiaries of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corporation. 

“For NLEX, it is expected early January. SCTEX will follow right away,” Quimbo added.

Early this quarter, PayMaya Philippines, the digital financial services unit of PLDT Incorporated and Smart Communications Incorporated, has partnered with Uber Technologies Incorporated to give “uncarded” commuters a cashless payment option for their Uber rides.

Asked if PayMaya can soon be used on all toll roads, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan had told reporters that he is uncertain if San Miguel Corporation would adopt the tap-and-go card system. “It surely will be used in our toll ways,” he added.

AF Payments Incorporated, the proponent for Beep cards, also partnered with Japanese chain FamilyMart to allow card holders to reload and pay for their purchases at several branches. This marked its first move out of transportation and into retail. 

Beep cards are also accepted at Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), LRT 2, and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and by select bus lines. – Rappler.com