MC, Beep bring ‘tap & go’ on PH public transpo

MASTERCARD and AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), the company behind Beep cards, have announced a strategic partnership to enable contactless acceptance of Mastercard cards in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3 Line) and buses for the first time in the Philippines.

“This is expected to benefit millions of Filipino commuters in Metro Manila, enhancing smart mobility through initiatives that bring our transit systems in line with global transport standards,” said JJ Moreno, president and chief executive officer at Beep on the partnership that will give way for more Filipinos to experience convenience in public transport through a seamless payments experience. “We are excited to collaborate with Mastercard to boost the acceptance of contactless payments in transport and further improve commuters’ payments experiences.”

This is in support of the government’s goal to accelerate the digitization of payments, and in line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap, the ‘Mastercard-Beep EMV Contactless Acceptance in Transport Partnership’ aims to broaden contactless acceptance in the Philippines. This initiative will bring greater convenience to the consumer commuting experience, simplifying access and enabling travelers to tap-in and tap-out with their Mastercard card.

Powered by Mastercard’s world-class payments technology, cardholders will be able to tap their prepaid, debit, or credit Mastercard cards on public transport without the need to purchase separate tickets for entry.

“Mastercard’s mission is to power a digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere, by making payments safe, simple, smart, and accessible,” said Simon Calasanz, country manager at Mastercard Philippines.

“This partnership with Beep will help enhance the commuting experience for all Mastercard cardholders. From reducing queues at peak hours to removing the need to carry multiple transit tickets or cash, cardholders will be able to use the same payment methods they already use for everyday spending. What’s more, it also supports the government’s goal of driving financial and digital inclusion — improving the delivery of public services through innovative payment technologies.”