E-PAYMENTS | LRT-2 expands contactless fare payments
The initiative allows passengers to bypass ticket purchases or reloads by tapping eligible credit, debit, or prepaid cards, or supported digital wallets at station gates.
Commuters on Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) can now pay fares directly using contactless bank cards, compatible mobile wallets, QR codes, and NFC-enabled devices following the rollout of an expanded open-loop fare collection system by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), financial institutions, and global payment providers.
The initiative allows passengers to bypass ticket purchases or reloads by tapping eligible credit, debit, or prepaid cards, or supported digital wallets at station gates. Mastercard cardholders can also access designated Fast Lanes, while Visa cardholders can use contactless payments across all 13 LRT-2 stations through the system implemented in partnership with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), DOTr, and other stakeholders.
The rollout adds to existing digital payment options on LRT-2, including QR code payments, and forms part of broader efforts to modernize Metro Manila’s public transportation by making fare collection faster, more secure, and interoperable across different payment platforms.
According to Visa, more than 160,000 commuters use LRT-2 daily. Citing research by the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute, the company said open-loop contactless transit systems could increase ridership by up to 10%. Visa also cited a regional survey showing that 94% of commuters in Asia-Pacific expect contactless payments to be available on public transportation, while 45% said they would take more trips if fare payment were easier.
“Public transportation is part of everyday life for millions of Filipinos, and paying for a ride should be just as effortless. With Mastercard contactless payments now available on LRT-2, we’re making everyday travel more seamless and secure, helping commuters save time and move through their journeys with greater confidence,” said Jason Crasto, country manager of Mastercard Philippines.
Mastercard said eligible transactions are protected by its contactless payment security features and support compatible issuer mobile wallets on NFC-enabled Android devices. The company said the initiative builds on its work with industry participants to expand interoperable transit payments in the country.
“The automated fare collection systems across Metro Manila’s three rail lines signifies Visa’s commitment toward accelerating financial inclusion, allowing both commuters and tourists to access digital payments while improving overall urban mobility in the Philippines. With expanded access to digital financial systems, we aim to support the government in boosting productivity while stimulating economic activity to fuel growth,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Visa country manager for the Philippines.
Visa said the LRT-2 deployment is its fourth cashless transit project in the Philippines after implementations on MRT-3 and bus systems in Cebu, Mandaue, and Bacolod. Mastercard, meanwhile, noted that it has supported open-loop transit payments in cities worldwide by allowing commuters to pay directly with existing bank cards or eligible mobile devices instead of purchasing separate transit tickets.
Full disclosure: All news articles published on the TechSabado website are written by human journalists, unless otherwise specified. Final text editing is partially assisted by artificial intelligence (AI).
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