beep™ card hits 1 billion transactions
Last
Aug. 8, 2018 (8-8-18), beep had its 1,000,000,000th transactionin the light rail
network (LRT 1, LRT 2, MRT 3), just two months short of its third anniversary
in the market. Of this number, 56 percent are beep card transactions while 44 percent
are cash via single journey tickets.
However,
the trend in the use of beep cards is still increasing – in July 2018, some 59
percent of fares were paid using beep cards.
“Reaching
this milestone is a testament that we were able to create a robust and
dependable payment solution for mass transit that has brought convenience to
millions of the city’s rail riders over the last three years,” said Peter
Maher, president and CEO of AF Payments Inc., the consortium behind beep.
The Ayala
Corp.-Metro Pacific Investments Corp. consortium won the permit to operate an
automated fare collection system as a Public-Private Partnership project in
2013.
“Our
team works day and night in partnership with the DOTr and the rail operators to
ensure that the system meets the demanding performance standards set out in the
Concession Agreement,” Maher said.
Strong
online and on ground support helped customers easily adapt to the new system. Even
commuters attest to the improvement of their journey in the elevated trains
because of the beep card. Aside from time saved in falling in line, commuters
enjoy seamless transfers between train lines and automatic savings for most rides,
among others.
Nicko
Abeleda, who frequently rides the LRT 1 from his home in Malabon City to his
workplace in Makati, finds it convenient that he can proceed to the turnstiles and
tap his way to the train.
“Mas
madaling gamitin yung beep card kasi ita-tap mo lang. Mas mabilis kaysa sa
magnetic card dati na hindi mo agad alam kung aling side ipapasok. Kumpara
naman sa SJT, malaking bagay ‘yung natitipid kong seven pesos bawat LRT ride
kapag beep card gamit ko (It is easier to use the beep card because you just
tap it, unlike the previous magnetic card. Also, compared to the SJT, the
savings of seven pesos per LRT ride is a big help for me),” he said.
Meanwhile,
Charisma Geminiano, who frequently rides the LRT 2 and MRT 3, appreciates the easy
transfer between rail lines that the beep card made possible. She finds it
convenient not having to line up twice to get tickets. “The beep card saves me time because I can
load the amount that I need for a week or month. I can easily use the loading
machine instead of lining up at the counters, where queues are usually longer,”
she said.
Some
commuters even note that having a beep card is more hygienic since it lessens
the need to fumble with cash, particularly coins, which have been previously handled
by so many people. Others are pleased that the beep card is user-friendly for
all members of the family, even for senior citizens who get to enjoy their 20
percent discount with their beep Concessionary Card.
Recently,
beep launched a mobile app which enables cardholders to check the load and
transactions on a daily basis for up to five cards. The app is available for
FREE in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
“Our
customer surveys have consistently shown that the ease and convenience of using
the beep card is among the top three reasons why commuters prefer to take LRT 1,” according to
Light Rail Manila Corporation President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso. “Complemented
with more trains, more trips, and lesser waiting time, the beep card has
contributed to the reduction of the passengers’ travel time.”
Over 5
million beep cards have already been sold. Aside from the LRT and MRT, other modes
of transport accepting payment via beep card are the point-to-point buses of
Froehlich, HM Transport, RRCG, TAS Trans, and DNS, as well as the BGC Bus,
Citylink Coach Services, Lancaster New City shuttle service, and BBL Trans
(Balibago-Buendia route). For more information, visit the website and official beep™ card Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.
0 comments