Commuters on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) can now leave both cash and stored-value cards at home as the government rolls out a digital fare payment system that allows passengers to pay with contactless bank cards, mobile wallets and QR codes, marking another step toward a fully cashless public transport network.
To encourage adoption, holders of the MySSS Card powered by RCBC DiskarTech can enjoy P1 fares for two weeks under a promotional offer launched alongside the new payment system.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the initiative supports the Marcos administration’s drive to make commuting more affordable, convenient and accessible through digital innovation.
Speaking during the launch of the LRT-2 Digital Fare Payments Proof of Concept at Legarda Station, Go said commuters can now simply tap their Visa or Mastercard bank cards, NFC-enabled mobile devices or scan a GCash QR code directly at station fare gates. The system is also available to international visitors, making travel easier for foreign tourists and business travelers.
The pilot project is a joint initiative of the Department of Transportation, the Light Rail Transit Authority and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. It is expected to serve as a model for interoperable digital fare payments across the country’s public transportation system.
Go said the rollout complements broader efforts to accelerate digital financial inclusion. He cited the government’s removal of transfer fees for InstaPay and PESONet transactions, as well as LandBank’s move to offer one free digital transaction daily beginning in May while cutting transfer fees from P15 to P8. Several major banks have since followed by reducing or waiving their own digital transaction charges.
The finance chief said closer collaboration between government agencies and the private sector will be critical in modernizing public services and improving the daily commuting experience.
The launch also signals the government’s broader vision of integrating transportation and digital finance, where commuters can move seamlessly across transit systems using familiar payment platforms instead of cash or dedicated transit cards, bringing the country’s urban transport network closer to global smart mobility standards.
