Baguio backs cashless transactions in PUVs

Cashless or contactless public utility vehicle (PUV) transactions will soon be the thing in the Summer Capital.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong is pursuing the alternative payment system for PUVs in the city as part of the “new normal” lifestyle in view of the continuing threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the city’s digital transformation.

A memorandum of agreement will soon be forged between the city government and SquidPay, a payment solutions company that offered a fare collection system that uses “cashless, contactless and seamless payment transactions through tap cards, near-field communication (NFC) or QR codes.”

The city accepted the offer because it will be free of charge and the company has the ready facility to implement the system, according to executive assistant Philip Puzon.

Moreover, the system does not impose charges for its transactions and for the device to be used by the PUVs.

The system was presented to public utility jeepney and taxi operators last June 24.

Individual walk-through sessions were scheduled by the company beginning last Friday to acquaint the operators and their drivers on the system.

The system is targeted for implementation from this month, according to the mayor.