The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered operators of the EDSA Busway to implement cashless fare payment options by December and comply with the requirement for left-side bus doors within six months.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the automated fare collection system (AFCS) would provide commuters with more convenient payment options and help speed up transactions along the EDSA Busway.
Lopez said he had directed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure that bus operators implement the cashless payment system before the end of the year.
The DOTr plans to conduct a pilot implementation to assess the system’s effectiveness before rolling it out across the entire EDSA Busway.
Cashless options currently under consideration include stored-value cards, similar to those used for trains, as well as electronic wallets (e-wallets).
“My only requirement is that they maintain kiosks at our Busway stations where commuters can top up their accounts; these should also support services like GCash. Crucially, the system must be interoperable and capable of integrating with various other payment platforms and e-wallets,” Lopez said.
The DOTr has already implemented an AFCS on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), where passengers can use various payment methods, including stored-value cards, bank cards, e-wallets, and QR codes.
Meanwhile, Lopez has given EDSA Busway operators and consortia six months to comply with the DOTr’s left-side door policy, which requires buses operating along the corridor to feature doors on their left side for safer and more convenient passenger boarding and alighting.
The policy addresses the ongoing issue of using buses with right-side doors, which can complicate passenger movements at Busway stations and create safety concerns during boarding and disembarking.
The DOTr said the requirement is intended to improve commuter safety and comfort, following Marcos’ directive to enhance the daily travel experience of passengers using the EDSA Busway.
Lopez also said the department would not grant further extensions to operators to comply with the requirement.