This, as the new paymemt scheme is still on its pilot run in the busy train line.
Beginning Monday, August 4, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MRT-3 have begun providing free single journey tickets (SJT) to passengers who encounter issues when tapping out at the stations due to system errors at the cashless turnstiles amid the ongoing pilot run.
These specific payment terminals are dedicated for payments using debit/credit cards, QR codes, and NFC-enabled mobile devices.
The DOTr said that it has been “closely monitoring” the concerns raised by MRT-3 commuters.
It specifically mentioned cases where passengers were charged the maximum fare of PHP 28 due to system issues when exiting the station.
“As a solution, affected passengers will be given a non-expiring SJT equivalent to the maximum MRT fare, which they can use for their next ride,” the department told.
According to the agency, those that have experienced issues can claim the free single journey ticket by proceeding to any MRT-3 ticket booth, where they must present proof of the failed tap-out transaction.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa overwhelming na suporta ng mga pasahero sa cashless payments natin sa MRT. Humihingi lang din tayo ng konting pang-unawa sa ilang mga problema ngayong pilot run, pero rest assured na within this August, dadami pa ang cashless turnstiles natin at tuloy-tuloy ang system upgrades para iwas-aberya,” Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon was quoted in the said press release.
It was last July 25 when DOTr launched the new payment scheme, which allows passengers to pay using their existing cards or e-wallet accounts, removing the need to queue up for SJTs or reloading Beep cards.
Although, fares for those using the newly-installed payment terminals have been pegged to the matrix set for single journey tickets (SJT).
“Walang dagdag sa pasahe dito. ‘Yung sistema, kung ano ang ikakaltas sa GCash nyo, sa credit card nyo, sa debit card nyo, pareho lang kung bumili kayo ng single journey ticket,” explained Dizon then.
To use the designated terminal, a GCash app user may click the Commute icon to generate a QR code, which must be read by the QR scanner on the turnstile to enter the platform and exit the destination station.
In addition to that, the Tap-to-Pay feature can also be utilized by passengers with NFC-enabled Android phones.
Meanwhile, all Visa and Mastercard-holders can directly tap their cards onto the reader. For those with older EMV chip that would not work on these terminals, the public is advised that they may coordinate with their respective banks for a replacement to use the cashless payment option.
In the coming months, the DOTr aims to make the system available to the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2).