Manila, Philippines — Commuters on Metro Manila's MRT-3 line may soon have a new way to pay for their train rides. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and MRT-3 management have begun testing contactless payments using Visa cards and GCash, aiming to provide faster and more convenient options alongside the existing Beep Card system.
Under the trial, passengers can tap their Visa credit, debit, or prepaid cards directly at MRT-3 fare gates. GCash users, on the other hand, can use either their GCash Visa cards or the GCash app's NFC “tap-to-pay” feature—available for now only to Android users—to pay for fares.
MRT-3 officials also confirmed that Mastercard contactless payments are under development and could be enabled in the near future, expanding options for commuters.
Advantages Over Traditional Methods
The new system offers several benefits. Most notably, it eliminates the need to queue for single-journey tickets or reload Beep Cards. With a simple tap, passengers can breeze through fare gates, potentially reducing congestion during rush hours. The feature also provides a ready backup for passengers who forget or lose their Beep Card, making the daily commute more flexible.
Drawbacks and Limitations
However, the rollout is not without challenges. Some commuters have raised concerns about double taps, where the fare gate might accidentally charge twice if the card or phone is left on the reader too long. Others have reported transaction delays, especially with digital wallets, which can slow down entry compared to a traditional Beep Card.
Security worries also surface, as contactless transactions could be vulnerable if a device or card is lost. Furthermore, GCash's in-app NFC payment has been known to encounter occasional errors, and the feature remains unavailable to iPhone users in the Philippines due to Apple's closed NFC system for Apple Pay.
How NFC Technology Works
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that enables devices to exchange data when placed close together—usually within a few centimeters. NFC is embedded in many modern bank cards, identifiable by a wave-like symbol, and in smartphones equipped for contactless payments. Beyond transit, NFC is widely used for retail purchases, access cards, and event ticketing.
In the Philippines, wider NFC adoption could enable tap-to-pay systems across buses, jeepneys, and even public facilities, streamlining transactions and reducing the need for cash.
Apple Pay and Samsung Pay Not Yet in PH
Globally, services like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay allow users to store multiple cards in a digital wallet and pay using NFC. However, these services are still not officially available in the Philippines, limiting iPhone and some Android users to bank-specific NFC solutions or third-party apps like GCash and Maya.
Banks With NFC-Enabled Mobile Apps in PH
Several banks in the Philippines not only issue NFC-capable Visa or Mastercard products, but also offer mobile apps that allow tap-to-pay directly from smartphones:
- UnionBank: Offers NFC-enabled “Tap to Pay” for Android users linked to UnionBank debit and credit cards.
- BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands): Allows Android users to make contactless payments via the BPI app linked to Visa or Mastercard accounts.
- RCBC: Provides NFC-based tap payments for supported cards through the RCBC Digital app.
- Security Bank: Select cardholders can use NFC-enabled payments directly via Android smartphones.
- EastWest Bank: Offers tap-to-pay transactions for NFC-enabled EastWest Visa/Mastercard cards on Android devices.
These app-based NFC solutions allow customers to use their phones much like a physical card—simply unlocking the phone and tapping it against an NFC reader.
The MRT-3 trial is still in its early stages, and authorities have yet to announce a full launch date. But if successful, it could mark a shift toward a more seamless and integrated transport payment ecosystem in the Philippines—one tap at a time.