The Department of Transportation (DOTr) last night (Jan. 4) announced it is finalizing a nationwide interoperable Automated Fare Collections System (AFCS) for all transport modes to provide convenient payment options for urban commuters.
One part of the AFCS National Standards is the EMVCo contactless specifications.
Most Filipinos with bank accounts already have EMVCo cards (debit and credit cards) which they can use, not just for purchasing goods, but also for commuting.
This capability is currently used in other transit systems abroad, such as in Bangkok and in Singapore.
So far, the DOTr and Land Bank of the Philippines have signed a memorandum of agreement last 12 October 2020 to conduct a Pilot Production Test for the EMVCo Contactless payment media.
Last month, the Pilot Production Test conducted a Proof of Technology (POT) demonstration showcasing the functions of the validator/transit readers accepting and processing EMVCo Contactless payment fare media in three Public Utility Vehicle routes: 1 modern public utility jeepney (PUJ), 1 Bus, 1 Rail.
The use of this technology in the transit system expands the fare media the public can use.
It also promises a more secure payment system, improved passenger convenience, and helps lessen card-issue and management costs for transit operators.