Beep cards reloadable at convenience stores before year-end

Commuters will be able to reload Beep cards in convenience stores later this year, private concessionaire AF Payments Inc. said Monday.

"Details are currently under wraps but before the year ends, a major convenience store chain will start implementing reloading and payment facilities via the beep card system," it said in an emailed statement.

Beep cards are valid for four years and may be reloadable at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations. It may also be reloaded in over 70 outlets of Bayad Center, Tambunting, Villarica, and SM Bills Payment.

"Before the end of 2016, this number will increase to 200. This will make it more convenient for commuters and help decrease lines at the train stations for Beep card loading," AF Payments said.

The consortium of Ayala Corp. and the Metro Pacific Group first introduced the new ticketing system to commuters of the LRT in July last year.

The card is now also accepted by the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and bus operators that include HM Transport, BGC Bus, Citylink Coach Services Inc., Froehlich Tours, and RRCG Transport.

Beep cards may also be used to settle toll fees at the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).

"Following the venture into toll ways with CAVITEX, beep cards will also soon be accepted in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The system is not live yet but testing is ongoing," AF Payments said.

"Moreover, additional routes of point-to-point bus lines will follow in the coming months," it added.

Some 2.5 million cards have been sold with accumulated transactions of P3.9 billion since it was launched last year.

"That equates to 18 million taps in the month of September 2016 from 13 million taps in the month of October last year," AFPI said. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News