BGC Bus, Cebu's Topline Express Ferries roll out QR ticketing system

Passengers of the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Bus and the Topline Express Ferries of Cebu will now be able to pay through quick response (QR) codes, with the service officially rolled out on Monday.

In a press conference, AF Payments Inc. said it partnered with the bus operators and Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt) for the QR ticketing system.

"It's a smart solution where both operators and commuters enjoy the efficiency and ease of use associated with QR technology," said Joey Lim, chairman of the board of AF Payments Inc.

"We are grateful to our partners for supporting the initiative and hope to replicate the same elsewhere in the Philippines," he added.

Under the service, commuters can pay their fare using the GCash mobile application at ticket centers. Commuters would then receive a QR ticket which they will then have to scan before entering the vehicle.

"We believe that QR ticketing and payments will not only improve the speed of boarding but also offer our riders more options for payment," said Bonifacio Transport Corporation Jun Galvez.

"Passenger safety and convenience are a priority to us, so this is a much-needed development that will greatly benefit the riding public," added Eugene Erik Lim, president and CEO of Topline Express Ferries.

According to AF Payments, it is planning to roll out the QR ticketing to other partner buses in Metro Manila in the coming months.

AF Payments is a consortium between Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp., which provides contactless payment solutions across the Philippines.

It earlier launched the beep card, a tap-and-go payment card used in all three elevated railways -- Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit Line 3, and select PUVs and modern jeepneys, tollways, and retail partners. — DVM, GMA News