QUEZON CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) — The Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA) announced last Friday, August 14 that passengers of LRT-1 on southbound journeys can now use the “beep” cards starting on Sunday, August 16.
In a statement, private supplier AF Payments Inc., CEO Peter Maher said a successful trial was conducted on the southbound direction of LRT-1.
AF Payments Inc. has conducted selling activities for pre-loaded beepTM cards from August 10 to 14 at seven LRT-1 stations (Roosevelt, Doroteo Jose, Central, EDSA, Gil Puyat, Monumento and Baclaran).
The “beep” cards can be purchased at P100 (with P80 load) from beepTM promo personnel in the said stations.
“The southbound direction of all 20 stations (from Roosevelt to Baclaran) will be ready to sell and re-load beepTM SVCs as well as the new Single Journey Tickets (SJT) and have gates that accept the new contactless cards beginning Sunday, August 16,” Maher said.
Maher said they are encouraging commuters who regularly use LRT-1 to purchase their beepTM cards during the pre-selling period so they don’t have to line up to buy their cards on August 16.
He added that in the first week of the public trial, “passengers should allow more time to purchase their ticket as the riding public familiarizes itself with the new system.”
Pre-loaded beep cards will also be available for purchase beginning August 17 at the following locations: Unibersidad de Manila, Philippine Normal University, Technical University of the Philippines, Masagana Building and Victory Mall.
Consumers who purchased a beepTM card in LRT-2 may also start using it on LRT-1 (Southbound direction only) beginning August 16.
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has stopped selling magnetic cards for LRT-1 stations since August 8. But holders of the magnetic stored value cards may get a cash refund for the remaining value of their cards in all LRT-1 station Teller’s Booths from August 8 to 15.
LRTA spokesperson Atty. Hernando Cabrera said that after August 15, cash refund will no longer be accommodated.
However, Cabrera said that any unused credit in an old magnetic SVC may be transferred to the new beep card beginning August 16.
“This may only be done in the LRT-1 Central Station Teller’s Booth,” Cabrera added. (LRTA/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)