AF Payments clarifies sales of Beep cards go directly to manufacturer

AF Payments Inc., the consortium that operates the automatic fare collection system being used in the Metro Manila rail systems and on the EDSA Busway, on Thursday clarified that the company does not earn from the sales of the reloadable stored value “Beep” cards.

“We are selling the Beep cards at cost. Starting October 1, BeepTM cards are being sold at cost, which is at P80,” AF Payments said in a statement.

“This amount goes directly to the card manufacturer and not to AF Payments,” the company said.

AF Payments —the consortium composed of conglomerates Ayala Group and First Pacific Group — made the statement after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade called on the company top give the Beep cards for free to commuters to ease the burden to consumers, who are reeling from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Tugade also wants commuters to have the option to load the card with the amount they need for the fare.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is implementing the “no Beep card, no ride” policy in public buses in an effort to reduce contact among passengers and drivers and reduce COVID-19 transmission.

“For commuters that already have a beepTM card, they are free to top up any amount on their card,” AF Payments said.

The company said it supports the DOTr’s push for cashless transactions in public transportation.

“In line with this, we have partnered with the operators of EDSA buses to make contactless payments accessible for the riding public,” it said.

“We supported this initiative further by deploying personnel to conduct card selling and loading at every bus stop along EDSA,” it added.

Aside from buses plying the EDSA Busway, the Beep card can also be used to pay fares in LRT-1, LR2, and MRT3 train lines, and some point-to-point buses, as well as modern public utility vehicles.

Fare is deducted from the card once it is tapped at a fare collection machine.

AF Payments said Beep card holders can load at any of the EDSA bus stops or P2P terminals as well as in FamilyMart and Ministop stores.

Card holders can also load via kiosks or over-the-air loading (through BPI, PayMaya, EON by Unionbank, Justpayto, or Akulaku.)

A Beep card is valid for four years.

“Lastly, we would like to assure the commuters that we will continue working together with government agencies and transport stakeholders to find ways on how to serve the public that’s truly beneficial to all,” AF Payments said.—LDF, GMA News