Commuters in Metro Manila may soon experience a fully cashless ride across all major rail lines, as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) targets the complete rollout of digital fare collection in the MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 by the end of 2025.
BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said the system—already functional in MRT-3 since July—will be extended to the other lines before yearend. “The estimate given to us is by the end of this year,” he told The STAR, noting that operators are preparing the infrastructure to accommodate debit and credit cards, e-wallets, QR codes, and other contactless payment methods.
Regular coordination meetings are being held by the BSP, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Manila Corp., banks, and payment providers to ensure interoperability across all rail systems.
The initiative follows MRT-3’s shift to cashless ticketing, which allowed passengers to pay using GCash, Maya, and bank cards. Tangonan stressed that the expansion will give commuters greater ease by letting them use just one payment method across multiple lines.
Beyond convenience, the BSP also views the project as a push for financial inclusion, encouraging more Filipinos to open bank accounts and adopt digital transactions. The rollout is also expected to help ease the shortage of stored-value beep cards, with the DOTr announcing the delivery of 300,000 additional cards this month for MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 stations.
