METRO Manila commuters will soon be able to ride trains without the hassle of long ticket lines or reloading stored-value cards, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The DOTr announced Friday that debit cards, credit cards, and mobile wallets like GCash and PayMaya will be accepted for fare payments on the LRT and MRT railways.
The initiative follows President Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize public transportation and streamline commuter convenience by introducing globally competitive, tech-driven solutions.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the new cashless turnstiles will begin operating in July, forming part of a broader initiative to create an “open-loop” automatic fare collection (AFC) system.
“I know even credit cards are accepted now. You can just tap your phone. You no longer need to buy a Beep card,” Dizon said in a press briefing at Malacañang.
“We asked why this wasn’t implemented sooner—turns out, it could have been,” he added.
The current Beep card system, while contactless, requires separate reloading and has limited interoperability with financial platforms.
The new system, inspired by international transit standards, will allow users to tap any supported card or mobile device directly at turnstiles.
President Marcos has repeatedly emphasized the need for government projects to be completed on time and within budget, noting that delays in essential services affect the daily lives of Filipinos.
In line with the president’s order, the DOTr is working with train operators and financial service providers to ensure a smooth rollout. Pilot testing and commuter awareness campaigns will precede the July launch.
“This is the kind of innovation that Filipinos deserve,” Dizon said.
“Modern facilities, just like those seen in other countries, should be accessible here at home,” he added.
The shift to cashless, card-based, and digital wallet payments is expected to speed up boarding, reduce crowding at ticket booths, and expand financial inclusion through seamless integration with a variety of platforms.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DOTr to roll out cashless payments for MRT, LRT this July.”
