Changes aimed at easing commuter experience on the said network.
Following the opening of the new Monumento busway stop, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez directed the implementation of an automated fare collection system (AFCS) across the entire EDSA Busway before the end of the year.
Lopez looks to conduct pilot implementation in order to ensure the effectiveness of the program, which will require bus operators to provide cashless options for fare payment along Busway stops.
These options include the Beep stored value cards and electronic wallets.
Currently, the AFCS system is implemented on rail lines, which have the option of paying using debit cards, e-wallet, QR code, and NFC-enabled devices.
“Ipinag-utos ko na rin po sa LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) na sana hanggang December, this time they [the operators] have to provide ‘yung tinatawag nating automatic fare collection system sa ating mga consortiums, sa ating operators po, ng Busway natin,” Lopez said.
He added, “Ang hinihingi ko lang po sa kanila, dapat meron pa rin silang kiosks sa ating Busway station kung saan ‘yung ating mga commuters, pwede silang magpa-load, at kung saan pwede rin ‘yung GCash. Dapat ang susi dito, interoperable at saka talagang it can integrate ‘yung other payment platforms and other e-wallets.”
The transport chief also clarified that this move will not result to higher fares and will not result to convenience fees.
Meanwhile, Lopez also extended the deadline for bus operators to implement the Left-Side Door Policy, where all busway fleets must have doors opening on the left side to ensure easy alighting and boarding of passnegers.
Currently, there are still buses with doors on the right side, which requires passengers to walk around to board or alight.
“Inutusan ko na rin po sina [LTFRB] Acting Chair Greg Pua at si Undersecretary Pastor—magbibigay na lang po ako ng six months sa ating mga bus operators, ‘yung consortium natin dito within six months kailangan gumagana na ‘yung left side door [sa mga buses],” said Secretary Lopez.
Beyond that, there will be no further extension and those without these doors will be fined, suspended, or barred from using the EDSA Busway.
Currently, out of the 500 buses plying the Busway, only 181 units have left-side doors.
“Ang importante po kasi dun para sa kaligtasan po ng ating mga mananakay. Para hindi na [ng mga pasahero] na umikot pa. Sa left side po ng driver, pag dito mismo sa istasyon, didiretso na lang po [sa pagbaba sa platform]. Usually, po kasi kapag walang left side door, iikot pa sila [ang mga pasahero], at napakadelikado nun kahit may barrier,” added the Secretary.
pagmumultahin masususpinde o di na papayagan ang mga bus na ito na dumaan sa EDSA Busway.
“Ngayon po kami naman po, hindi lang po pakiusap na, we’re going to mandate the operators, the consortium, within six months, ‘yun na lang po. No more, no more extensions—kailangan ng left side door,” Lopez underscored.
