AF Payments Inc. (AFPI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Mastercard to enable contactless acceptance of the latter’s cards at Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3 Line) and buses for the first time in the Philippines. AF Payments is jointly owned by Ayala Corp. and the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
Under the partnership, the partners agreed to collaborate on a pilot program, rolled out in phases across MRT stations and BGC and EDSA buses, with the plan to scale contactless payments acceptance across ferries and other modes of transportation in the future, and eventually across the country.
The program is exclusive to the Beep network and will introduce and expand open loop transit payments powered by Mastercard Gateway.
With Mastercard’s world-class payments technology, cardholders are able to tap prepaid, debit, or credit Mastercard cards on public transport without need to purchase separate tickets for entry.
JJ Moreno, Beep president and chief executive, said the partnership will allow for more Filipinos to experience convenience in public transport the seamless payments experience.
“This is expected to benefit millions of Filipino commuters in Metro Manila, enhancing smart mobility through initiatives that bring our transit systems in line with global transport standards. We are excited to collaborate with Mastercard to boost the acceptance of contactless payments in transport and further improve commuters’ payments experiences,” Moreno said.
Simon Calasanz, Mastercard Philippines country manager, said the goal is to power a digital economy that benefits everyone everywhere by making payments safe, simple, smart, and accessible.
“This partnership with Beep will help enhance the commuting experience for all Mastercard cardholders. From reducing queues at peak hours, to removing the need to carry multiple transit tickets or cash, cardholders will be able to use the same payment methods they already use for everyday spending,” he added.
“What’s more, it also supports the government’s goal of driving financial and digital inclusion—improving the delivery of public services through innovative payment technologies,” he said.
Mastercard has enabled open loop transit systems in several major cities around the world such as London, Sydney, and Singapore.
