The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced it would suspend the mandatory use of Beep cards at the EDSA Busway starting October 5, just a week after it implemented a “no beep card, no ride” policy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOTr said Sunday the suspension would last “until the issue is resolved.” It added commuters can for now go back to paying either cash or using the beep cards.
“Those who have already bought or have existing beep cards may still use them for the payment of fares. Meanwhile, off-board cash payment will be accommodated for those who have no card yet,” the advisory read.
“Cash payments will be collected by the personnel from the EDSA Bus Consortia at the stations. These personnel will be wearing appropriate face shields, face masks, and gloves to prevent the transmission of COVID-19,” it added.
DOTr earlier announced the implementation of “no beep card, no ride” policy in the EDSA busway, making all transactions cashless starting October 1.
According to transportation Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor, the new policy would provide an extra measure to prevent the spread of germs and viruses related to handling cash in public transport.
Mandatory use of beep cards in EDSA Busway suspended
However, confusion, complaints, and long queues greeted the policy’s implementation first day, with commuter complaining of the expensive beep cards.
At the bus stop, the price of the Beep card is P180. It contains a P100 load and can be used as a fare to the destination. Those without a Beep card will not be able to board the bus.
DOTr chief Arthur Tugade earlier said the agency is looking at a portion of the agency’s fund allocation under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 to fund the free Beep cards commuters.
The Bayanihan 2 allocated P9.5 billion for DOTr’s assistance to the transport sector stakeholders affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Meanwhile, AF Payments Inc, the consortium that operates Beep cards, said it does not earn anything from the beep cards it was only selling at cost.
“[T]he EDSA Bus Consortia stated that they would look for another AFCS provider who can offer a better solution to the existing problem. Meeting with other AFCS providers is scheduled on Tuesday morning,” the DOTr said.