040207: Soon, no long lines for MRT cards

By Lennie Lectura

Reporter

THERE is a move to eliminate queues in getting overhead railway tickets by employing electronic cards. There is also a promise by those concerned to continue innovative measures to make commuting easier with the use of electronics. The new ticket system is being developed by Smart Communications, Inc. with MetroPass Systems, Inc. initially for the Metro Rail Transit-3 on Edsa using a Smart Money PayPass card. MetroPass will set up electronic reloading establishments in all MRT stations next month. They can reload not only Smart pass cards but also all prepaid mobile phones, Internet, and other prepaid cards as well as Smart Padala cash-in and encashment centers. Later, MetroPass will expand the network of reloading stations to commercial and transportation centers to reach more people. "Our partnership with MetroPass is very strategic. Through the tie-up, we will be able to bring our innovative services closer to our 25 million subscribers and give them added convenience. Those with relatives working abroad, for example, will be able to claim their remittances at the booths in the MRT station. Reloading of the Smart Money card will also be easier since they can do it at the Smart booths in the stations, too. They can use the Smart Money card not only for transport fare payments, but also as payment tool in stores that accept MasterCard Electronic. It is more secure, since they no longer need to carry too much cash," said Smart president Napoleon L. Nazareno. MetroPass and its business and technology partners will also work in tandem with Smart to pioneer innovative mobile and Internet applications on their combined strengths in business processes and technology. They predict this cooperation will culminate in a single "contactless" card that will empower people to purchase essential services such as transport, mobile phone reloading, bill payments, and remittances across physical, Internet and mobile spaces. "Our partnership with Smart will help to improve the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of MRT commuters.  We have been developing a comprehensive electronic payment system for the MRT, and the integration of Smart Money PayPass will bring us a step closer in providing the convenience, functionality, and security that commuters deserve," said MetroPass chief executive officer Edwin P. Hui. The MRT-3 or Metrostar Express runs through a 16.9-kilometer rail system along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue, Pasay City. It carries over 450,000 passengers daily. It plans to add more trains because the system is about to be overloaded. "Whether it's accomplished by adding additional trains, implementing electronic payment, or enabling innovative products, the rider is always first priority," said Fil-Estate chairman Robert John L. Sobrepeña. MRT is a subsidiary of the listed realty firm. Smart said its money card is the world's first secure, re-loadable electronic cash card that can be linked to a mobile phone. Through the card, a Smart user can easily pay bills, transfer funds to another Smart Money card, do balance account checks, change personal identification numbers and even lock or unlock the card from the Smart Money menu in the mobile phone.                 Smart Padala is, meanwhile, the first international cash remittance service through text.

 

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