LRT-1 deploys new e-tap loading kiosks

28 May 2021, Manila, PHILIPPINES – Contactless transactions have become part of the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has deployed sixty-five (65) e-tap loading kiosks to all LRT-1 stations as part of its initiatives to promote a safer and more convenient commute for the riding public. ​

Through these e-tap kiosks, LRT-1 passengers can load their beep™ cards or Stored Value Cards (SVC) on their own and enjoy the convenience of hassle-free journey by avoiding queues at teller booths, limited face-to-face contact, and exchange of cash. Moreover, beep™ cards are one of the widely used payment methods today across railway lines. Many transportation modes such as Point-to-Point (P2P), Metro Manila city buses, and modern PUVs are already accepting beep™ cards as a payment method making these cards very useful.

In photos: E-tap kiosks for loading beep cards

The e-tap kiosks will serve as an addition to the existing Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), which are used to buy/load SVCs and purchase Single Journey Tickets (SJTs). LRT-1 stations also have the beep™ e-load​ machine, which are Over-The-Air (OTA) loading machines allowing cardholders to transfer load from a mobile wallet or debit accounts to their beep™ cards. The load is reflected when the card is tapped and updated using a beep™ e-load​ machine. There are also SVC extender machines used by passengers to extend the validity of their expired beep™ cards. beep™ cards need to have a minimum balance of Php 10 to be extended.

In photo: beep™ e-load machine for Over-The-Air (OTA) loading. Cardholders can transfer load from a mobile wallet or debit account to their beep™ cards. The load is reflected when the card is tapped or updated using this machine.
In photo: Stored Value Card (SVC) extender machine is used to extend the expiry date of beep cards.

“We at LRMC remain committed to finding solutions to improve our services every day. We take pride in knowing that what we do contributes to our society, not just through rail infrastructure improvements, but also through our steps towards making our transport sector at par with international standards and achieving integrated mobility. What we aim to create is an efficient and thriving ecosystem and community,” said Jacqueline Gorospe, LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations.

In photo: Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) for buying Single Journey Tickets and buying/loading Stored Value Cards

LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL). It assumed operations and maintenance of LRT-1 in September 2015 through a PHP 65-billion 32-year concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). LRT-1 has ISO certifications for Quality & Environmental Management Systems (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001).

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