Megaworld’s Citylink buses adopt ‘Beep’
MEGAWORLD Corp. sealed a partnership deal with AF Payments Inc. that would pave the way for the use of the electronic “Beep” cards to pay fares at Megaworld’s Citylink buses, which serve the property developer’s township projects.
Megaworld said in a statement on Friday that Citylink buses could begin accepting cashless payments via Beep cards, currently in use at the Light Rail Transit Line 1 and Metro Rail Transit Line 3, by the end of May 2016.
“With one beep card, you can now embark on all Citylink buses and light rail transit routes. This is the country’s first and only unified automated fare collection system and we are encouraging other operators to join and do the same,” Arnie Batac, head of estate management at Megaworld, said in the statement.
Before the end of May, at least 18 Citylink buses will be made operational for all beep card users.
Each station will have a booth or personnel who will sell stored value cards with P50 load. The cards are reloadable in vending machines and beep card partner establishments nationwide and, soon, in all concierge of Megaworld’s Lifestyle Malls.
“Even the cash-less payment made operational this May, we are still offering cash payment option until passengers can fully adapt to the system. We are providing fliers, orientation and other marketing materials to inform the public. This is how we will improve the commuting experience in Megaworld townships,” Batac said.
The move was also in line with AF Payment’s broader strategy to increase the usage of its Beep cards. Eventually, Beep cards can be used for transactions in convenience stores, fast food chains and taxi cabs, the company, led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said.
Megaworld’s Estate Management had earmarked about P100 million in 2008 for the establishment of CityLink, a public transportation system, to help commuters and recognize the increasing demand for efficient means of transportation from various integrated urban townships.
“Citylink has 19 units that operates 24/7. It caters to around 200,000 BPO workers, residents and visitors of Megaworld townships. Within the second quarter of the year, we will add another 19 buses to further minimize the waiting time of commuters,” he said.
The Citylink buses ply around Eastwood City in Quezon City; Uptown Bonifacio and McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, and Newport City with fares ranging from P12 to P39.
