THE OPERATOR of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and digital payments application Maya launched on Thursday a quick response (QR) ticketing system that will now allow passengers to use their smart phone for train fares.
“The LRT-1 QR Ticketing project marks a significant milestone in public transportation, where everyone can enjoy faster, safer, and more convenient digital transactions,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of Maya and Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).
“This end-to-end digitalization represents a turning point in modernizing our transportation system and promoting digital payments on a wider scale,” he said.
LRT-1 commuters can now purchase their single journey QR ticket using the Maya app and scan the generated QR ticket at dedicated “Fast Lanes”.
“Building around our company core values of innovation and customer focus, LRMC is pioneering this technology for the railway sector in partnership with Maya and AF Payments, Inc. (AFI),” LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Juan F. Alfonso said.
Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder Shailesh Baidwan said the integration “offers a fast, seamless, and hassle-free solution to the commuting public.”
QR tickets that will be generated will be valid for 24 hours from the date of purchase and can be used at all LRT-1 stations from Baclaran to Monumento, and in the north line extension that includes Balintawak and Roosevelt stations.
To encourage commuters to use the new service, Maya will be offering one free LRT-1 ride per month per customer through cashback vouchers until August 31.
Meanwhile, LRT-1 QR Tickets powered by AFI’s Beep may also be purchased through LRMC’s ikotMNL application.
Through Maya Business, ikotMNL will be able to accept digital payments from Maya; other e-wallets; banks; credit, debit, prepaid cards; and soon from QR PH.
LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Sumitomo Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp, and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.
MPIC is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
