Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) in partnership with the Maya Group yesterday launched the QR ticketing system at the Light Rail Transit line 1 (LRT-1) as part of the modernization of the railways.
Commuters can now purchase their single journey LRT-1 QR ticket using the Maya app and scan the generated QR ticket at the dedicated “Fast Lane” turnstiles located at all LRT-1 stations, making the process quick, seamless and hassle-free.
“We are empowering our LRT-1 passengers with more options so that they can commute more conveniently. We remain steadfast in our commitment to improve the commuter experience and make rail an attractive, affordable, and sustainable transport solution,” said Juan Alfonso, LRMC president and chief executive officer.
QR tickets generated are valid for 24 hours from the date of purchase and can be used at all LRT-1 stations from Baclaran to Monumento, as well as the north line extension which includes Balintawak and Roosevelt stations along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
“We’re proud to introduce this pioneering end-to-end digital ticketing solution for our transportation sector, in partnership with LRMC. This integration offers a fast, seamless, and hassle-free solution to the commuting public,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group president and Maya Bank co-founder.
To encourage commuters, Maya is offering one free LRT-1 ride per month per customer in the form of cashback vouchers until August 31, 2023.
Maya said it supports the initiatives of the Department of Transportation and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in promoting the use of contactless payments in public transportation.
Maya has equipped Metro Manila, Cebu and Baguio taxi operators with contactless payment solutions, facilitated the first digital bus ticketing system with the Araneta Bus Port, and handles payment processing for major transportation network vehicle service providers.
“The LRT-1 QR Ticketing project marks a significant milestone in public transportation, where everyone can enjoy faster, safer, and more convenient digital transactions. This end-to-end digitalization represents a turning point in modernizing our transportation system and promoting digital payments on a wider scale,” said Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Maya and LRMC.
In a related development, LRMC said it is on track to start the operation of Phase 1 of the 11.7-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite extension project by the fourth quarter of next year.
The project is currently 83 percent complete, according to Alfonso.
Construction of the five new stations is in various stages of development with Redemptorist Station registering 56 percent completion, MIA Station at 61 percent, Asia World at 51 percent, Ninoy Aquino Station with 55 percent and Dr. Santos Station with 60 percent as of March.
Since taking over LRT-1 operations and maintenance in 2015, LRMC said it has invested over P30 billion in capital improvement projects to steadily improve the existing LRT-1 system and make substantial progress with the construction of the Cavite extension.
