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| DOTr and LandBank launched the EMV-compliant Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) today to modernize urban public transportation in the country. Photo: DOTr/LandBank |
To improve and modernize the nation's urban public transportation system, LandBank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched on September 1 the Automated Fare Collection System's (AFCS) interim operation.
Prior to being fully and commercially implemented, the AFCS, which enables the practical use of contactless credit, debit, and prepaid bank cards that comply with EMV standards as cashless payment instruments in public transportation modes, will be tested in a real-time operational environment.
The "Interim Operation Launch and Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement Ceremonial Signing" for the Automated Fare Collection System EMV Contactless Pilot Production Test at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx) in Parañaque City were led by Transportation Undersecretary Cesar B. Chavez, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Felipe M. Medalla, President, and CEO of LANDBANK Cecilia C. Borromeo.
"The AFCS project for simple and secure cashless payments in our PUVs has the full support of LANDBANK. We look forward to enhancing commuters' daily travel and payment experiences with LANDBANK Contactless Cards," President and CEO Borromeo said.
The AFCS PPT will involve 150 Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) units across several pilot sites in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Metro Cebu.
During the first month of the AFCS pilot testing period, only LANDBANK prepaid and credit contactless cards will be accepted and processed in the 150 participating PUVs. The LANDBANK AFCS solution can also receive and process EMV contactless cards issued by other regional banks once the necessary rules or policies have been published.
The Special Edition Transit Cards from LANDBANK, Agent Banking Cards (ABC), General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) Cards, Provincial ID e-Cards, and Classic and Gold Credit Cards, among others, can be used by commuters to pay for fares.
More than 4.5 million LANDBANK contactless EMV cards that can be used with the AFCS solution have already been distributed by LANDBANK. Another 1.9 million cards are available and waiting for account owners to claim them.
While adhering to its social objective of promoting inclusive and sustainable development, LANDBANK has grown through time to become one of the nation's top universal banks.
The modernization of the nation's transportation infrastructure and services is supported by LANDBANK as a key factor in accelerating the recovery of the economy and promoting inclusive growth.