AF Payments Inc., the company that modernized payment and ticketing in transportation through beep™, implements the first QR code transport ticketing system in the Philippines.
Metro Manila-based BGC Bus and Cebu-based Topline Express Ferries will now be shifting to using QR code technology for payment and passenger ticketing. A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information that can be read rapidly by a QR reader, thereby allowing quick passenger validation and entry into the paid or boarding areas.
“This is a new era in transport ticketing. It’s a smart solution where both operators and commuters enjoy the efficiency and ease of use associated with QR technology. We are grateful to our partners for supporting the initiative and hope to replicate the same elsewhere in the Philippines, “ said Joey Lim, Chairman of the Board of AF Payments Inc.
“We are proud to say that our technology is developed in the Philippines, by Filipinos, for Filipinos. To accelerate the growth of QR ticketing and payments in the country, we are opening our QR ticketing ecosystem to other market players. We invite transport operators, payments companies and developers to work with us in widening the reach of QR ticketing. For more information on how you can participate in this initiative, visit our beep business website at business.beeptopay.com,” said Rene Almendras, President of AF Payments Inc.
AF Payments Inc is making the QR Ticketing Standard available on [https://github.com/afpayments/QCAT_QR_TICKETING_STANDARD] for interested parties to study the technology and to participate in its further development.
How it works
In addition to using beep™ card and beep™-powered Topline Express Ferries cards, commuters now have the option to buy QR code based tickets that the commuter will scan before boarding the bus or ferry. The new system will replace manually validated paper ticketing to ensure quicker validation and a hassle-free commuter experience.
Additionally, AF Payments is bringing in the convenience of mobile payments. In partnership with GCash, passengers of BGC Bus & Topline Express Ferries can now pay their fare using the GCash mobile app.
How to Pay using GCash: At the ticket counter, open the GCash app on your smartphone. Choose Pay QR, generate your own QR code, and scan the QR code on the beep QR Reader. Your QR ticket will automatically print and the fare will be deducted from your GCash account.
“We are committed to improve the payment experience of BGC bus riders. Our partnership with AF Payments Inc and BGC Bus allows us to use our QR code to facilitate a convenient way of paying. GCash users can now pay for their BGC bus rides using the GCash App. We plan to replicate this model with other transport service providers. As we continue to find ways to enable a cashless ecosystem, we will always challenge ourselves to explore more ways to leverage on our technology to improve the experience of our customers. Because with GCash, what can't you do.” said Anthony Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Mynt.
With 6.5 million beep™ cards in the market and over 20 million GCash accountholders nationwide, this initiative is expected to benefit a sizable portion of e-wallet customers in the Philippines. Passengers can now enjoy more options to pay and get tickets for their daily commute.
“The goal of BGC Bus is to make it easy and convenient for visitors, residents and workers in Bonifacio Global City to get around and navigate the area. We operate a systematic, efficient and affordable transportation system for the city and are constantly looking for ways to improve our service. We believe that QR ticketing and payments will improve not only the speed of boarding but also offer our riders more options for payment. We are happy to be the first bus company in Metro Manila to have this new system.” said Jun Galvez, General Manager of Bonifacio Transport Corporation.
“We are very excited to be the pioneer marine transportation partner in Cebu. Topline believes in enhancing the commute experience. Passenger safety and convenience are a priority to us, so this is a much needed development that will greatly benefit the riding public,” said Eugene Erik Lim, President/CEO of Topline Express Ferries
AF Payments Inc. is planning to roll out QR ticketing to other partner buses in Metro Manila in the coming months. QR tickets are easy to use and reduce implementation and integration cost for public transport operators. The rich data conveyed through QR code tickets helps operators to accurately and timely record transactions. With its speed and ease of use, commuters also stand to benefit from this technology.
An MPIC-Ayala Corp. consortium, AF Payments Inc. provides contactless payment solutions in the Philippines with integrated product and service offerings that aim to enhance the transaction experience of every Filipino. It created the beep™ card, the tap-and-go payment card used in all three elevated railways (LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3) and select PUVs and modern jeepneys, tollways, and retail partners. More information about beep™ is available at its website and official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Merchants and transport operators interested to implement QR code ticketing may get in touch with AF Payments Inc. via the website business.beeptopay.com.
