AF PAYMENTS, Inc., the firm behind tap-and-go payment system beep card, announced on Monday that its QR (quick response) code technology is going live in four bus lines covering several areas in the cities of Taguig, Makati, and Las Piñas, as well as the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, and Bulacan.
The bus lines are BGC Bus, TAS Trans, Precious Grace Transport Services, and San Agustin Transport, AF Payments said in an e-mailed statement.
The beep QR is AF Payments’ QR code-based ticket that passengers scan before boarding a bus instead of using a beep card or a regular ticket.
The company has partnered with GCash to allow commuters to generate their own prepaid beep QR ticket “anytime anywhere, thereby eliminating the need to line up to buy tickets in select routes.”
“To do this, simply open your GCash app, tap GLife, and select ‘beep™’ from the list of partners. Select among the four bus operators, then choose your route, as well as starting and destination terminals. Your fare will automatically be computed,” it said.
“After reviewing the details, tap ‘Buy Ticket’ and complete your payment. Click on the Ticket History to view your QR ticket or take a screenshot, which you can scan on the reader at the bus terminal or upon entering the bus,” it added.
According to the company, it aims to enable growth and digital transformation in the transport sector to make progress “more inclusive and beneficial to more people” in the long run.
“We constantly evolve the beep payment solution not only to keep up with technology but, more importantly, to help improve the quality of life of Filipinos. With QR, we are empowering commuters to take back a fraction of their time usually spent lining up,” said Sharon Fong, chief commercial officer of AF Payments.
The company introduced its QR ticketing in 2019. It was initially designed to replace the manual validation of paper tickets. “But now, in this evolving pandemic situation, QR technology offers a safer alternative to help the commuting public observe health protocols,” Ms. Fong said.
“AF Payments, Inc. will continue to actively roll out QR payment in other transportation networks like EDSA buses and modern jeepneys all over the country. We wish to replicate the system across the country through collaborations with businesses,” she added.
AF Payments is a joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp. that develops contactless payment solutions.
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