Commuters in Cebu and Mandaue City can now use their Visa cards to pay for rides on modern jeepneys.
Visa announced its collaboration with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI) and GHL to facilitate card payments on these modern jeepneys in the region, the second largest city in Cebu.
GTSI, a payment service provider and payment acquirer, partnered with local transport operators Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRANSCO) and the Mandaue Transport Cooperative (MTC) to introduce 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 in Mandaue City.
Visa said the onboard terminals in these vehicles now accept Visa payments.
Jeff Navarro, Visa Philippines country manager, said this project is Visa’s first in the Philippines and aims to improve travel for commuters and tourists in Mandaue City by offering more payment options.
"As tourism in the Philippines rebounds, we have observed a growth in inbound tourism and this partnership will make the transit experience more seamless for tourists,” Navarro said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
In February 2024, Cebu registered a 69 percent increase in visitors, welcoming 104,439 tourists, according to the Department of Tourism.
At the same time, Mandaue City, a major tourist destination in Cebu, recorded 228,472 arrivals from January to September 2022.
Amid this tourism growth, Navarro said that allowing Visa card payments on public transit enhances convenience, as travelers increasingly prefer secure and contactless digital options.
Based on Visa's Global Travel Intentions Study, 97 percent of Asia Pacific travelers plan to use card payments (credit, debit, or prepaid) during their trips, while only 17 percent intend to carry cash.