Payments giant Visa has launched its first transit project in the Philippines, enabling contactless payments on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City.
This initiative is part of a pilot project, with plans to expand to more modes of transit in the coming years.
This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for both local commuters and tourists, offering a wider range of payment options.
The project, a collaboration between Visa, Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), and GHL, allows passengers to pay their fares using Visa cards on 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 in Mandaue City.
This move comes at a time when tourism in the Philippines is rebounding, with Cebu experiencing a major increase in visitors.
Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study reveals that 97% of Asia Pacific travelers plan to use card payments on their trips, while only 17% intend to carry foreign currency (cash).
Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said,
“We are thrilled to unveil Visa’s inaugural transit project in the Philippines. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for daily commuters and tourists in Mandaue City by offering a wider array of payment options.
As tourism in the Philippines rebounds, we have observed a growth in inbound tourism and this partnership will make the transit experience more seamless for tourists.”
Jay Tirona, CEO, GHL Systems Philippines Inc, said,
“This partnership is an exciting example of how technology and digital innovation in payments can come together positively for the private and public sectors, and ultimately, for the benefit of Filipinos who ride these jeepneys every day.
These efficiencies drive social and economic change and we need to start with a focused approach, which I believe will eventually and inevitably be adapted across public transport systems nationwide.”
