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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider No cash needed: GCash scan-to-pay launched on EDSA Busway

No cash needed: GCash scan-to-pay launched on EDSA Busway

Published Dec 17, 2025 09:41 pm
(Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN)
(Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN)
EDSA Busway is set to become more convenient for commuters following the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) rollout of a new cashless payment system, in partnership with leading mobile wallet GCash.
At Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the launch of the scan-to-pay system for EDSA Busway.
Lopez said this follows the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to make the commuting experience more seamless for passengers, ultimately encouraging greater use of public transportation.
“This cashless payment is a major step so that we can say that the travel of our commuters is now more convenient,” he said in an interview on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The cashless payment method will use SoundPay, a payment device from GCash for Business, which plays a sound to confirm when the transaction goes through.
To use the system, passengers only need to tap “scan to pay QR code” in their GCash account, scan the code on the SoundPay device held by the conductor, enter the amount, and then tap “pay.”
Lopez said there will be no convenience or transaction fees when paying through this method, meaning passengers will pay the exact fare as those paying with cash.
He also said that students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and senior citizens will continue to enjoy a 20-percent discount when riding using cashless payment.
“It’s not only the modernization of our infrastructure that we need. It’s not only the modernization of our public vehicles that is needed. Above all, we must modernize what we call public service or the overall passenger experience,” Lopez said.
“This is what GCash provides,” he emphasized.
GCash for Business head Jong Layug said the new cashless system at EDSA Busway is part of the mobile wallet’s continuing effort to make everyday experiences, including commuting, easier and more worry-free for Filipinos.
“And this is just the next step of where we are now,” Layug said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
In July, the DOTr also partnered with GCash to launch a cashless payment system for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
The agency said at the time that it also plans to implement the system on Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2).
Lopez said the rollout will not stop there, indicating that cashless payment will eventually be implemented across the public transportation system, potentially including traditional modes such as jeepneys and buses.
The DOTr said the scan-to-pay scheme on EDSA Busway will be under pilot implementation for one year.
At present, 260 busway units are already equipped with SoundPay devices.
Based on government estimates, around 500 buses ply the busway daily, accommodating an average of 200,000 commuters per day.
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