Solon proposes QR codes over beep cards for public transport

Passengers line up to board Edsa Carousel buses at Monumento, Caloocan City on September 30, 2020. The Department of Transportation announced the implementation of a fully cashless transaction system using Beep Cards in public utility buses of the EDSA Busway System starting October 1, as ‘No Beep Card, No Ride’ policy. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — House Transportation Committee Chair and Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento has proposed that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) utilize quick response (QR) codes over beep cards as mode of payment in public transportation.

In a statement Monday, Sarmiento said this will prevent long lines at public transportation terminals and reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.

“The DOTr can create their own fare reloading app using various forms of electronic wallets and  various electronic banking platforms or they can tap the private sector to do this for them,” Sarmiento said.

“This would stop people from spending too much time in queuing to get their cards and reduce human-to-human interaction which could expose them to the coronavirus,” he went on.

Sarmiento said the use of QR codes would also be more “cost-effective and environment-friendly” since producing the “plastic” beep cards would no longer be needed.

“Giving away these free beep cards is simply unsustainable because who would spend to mass manufacture these beep cards. Sooner or later, our commuters would have to pay for these beep cards because the production is not free,” Sarmiento said.

“Going cashless in our public transportation is the way to go,” he added.

Backlash over the overpriced beep cards sold at bus stations over the weekend prompted the DOTr to suspend its mandatory use.

Many commuters lamented the implementation of cashless payments in public transportation and the fare cards which were being sold for P180, or P100 for the card and only P80 load.

EDV