DOTr urges commuters to reload 'Beep' cards outside train stations

To cut the long queues plaguing the MRT-3 and LRT ticket stations, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Friday urged commuters to reload tap-and-go 'Beep' cards in malls, pawnshops, and Bayad Centers.

Of the 76 reloading stations in Metro Manila, 16 are within 200 meters from train stations, the department noted.

"Commuters may reload at Bayad Center and its partner outlets, Tambunting, Villarica, and SM Bills Payment centers," the DOTr said.

Since the off-site ticketing system was introduced in April, over 50,000 reload transactions have been generated outside train stations, it added.

By September, commuters will also be able to reload Beep cards in 1,100 outlets of 7-11, Mini Stop, and Family Mart on top of the 300 more Bayad Centers that will accept reloading transactions.

The DOTr also encouraged mass rail commuters to go for stored value cards instead of single journey tickets, noting that 45 percent of commuters were still queuing up at the ticket booths MRT-3 and LRT stations for single journey tickets.

AF Payments Inc., a consortium by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., operates the unified ticketing system introduced in October 2015. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News